Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Charles Middlemiss was born February 24th 1891 at 21 Bridge Street, Morpeth, Northumberland, the only son of Charles Middlemiss born 1861 and his wife Mary Ann born 1863, natives of Morpeth. They also had 2 daughters Hilda Mary and Elizabeth, unfortunately Elizabeth died in 1892, only 3 years old. Charles Snr.’s wife passed away when she was 35 years old in 1898, by 1911 the family was split, He and his daughter Hilda Mary were living as boarders at 3, Tenter Terrace, Morpeth with Mrs. Isabella McCose Howdy whilst Charles Jnr. was living with farmer Thomas Brown of Mile End, Glanton, near Alnwick as a visitor. Charles Snr. worked as a grocer and by the age of 20, Charles Jnr. was working as one of many stable boys employed by Mr. George Bradshaw of Whitewall, Malton, Yorkshire.
Charles Middlemiss Jnr. emigrated to Canada sailing from Liverpool aboard the Empress of Ireland of the Canadian Pacific Railway Line, December 13th 1912 bound for St. John, New Brunswick, finally settling at Battleford, Saskatchewan.
On August 4th 1914 Britain declared that a state of war existed with Germany. The Aldershot Command received a one word telegram, “Mobilise”. The decision was a remarkable act of faith in the Empire brotherhood as Britain had not consulted her dominions. The response of the Empire saved Britain in the opening months of conflict and sustained her until the conclusion of hostilities. Charles Middlemiss enlisted at Battleford, August 26th 1916, as Private 1051245, assigned to the Canadian Infantry attached to the 243rd Over-Seas Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. After distinguishing themselves in battle from the Second Battle of Ypres, through the Somme and particularly in the Battle of Arras at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele the Canadians were ordered to spearhead the last campaigns of the War from the Battle of Amiens on August 8th 1918 which ended with victory for the Allies when Armistice was signed November 11th 1918.
Private 1501245 Charles Middlemiss was killed September 1st 1918 whilst serving with the 5th Battalion Canadian Infantry. He is interred, grave C 22 at Upton Wood Cemetery, Hendecourt-Les-Cagnicourt, Pas de Calais, France, 16 kilometres south east of Arras.
His father living at The Old Vicarage, Dalton Le Dale, County Durham was informed of his death and received his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Charles Middlemiss Snr. died, age 70, in 1931, district of Easington, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Charles Middlemiss is remembered at Dalton le Dale on D39.01
