Medal Index Card

Newcastle Journal Wednesday 20th February 1918

Martins Bank Roll of Service

Bank of Liverpool Roll of Service 1914-15

Charles Jarah was born in South Shields on the 29th May 1887, baptised on the 22nd June 1887, the youngest child, son of Carlos, [Charles] Emanuel Jarah, 7th June 1847, (storekeeper in a ship-repairing yard), son of Alexandro Jarah and Manuela Jarah, of 49 Winchester Street, South Shields, and the late Eleanor Jarah (née Atkinson), who died in 1914.

His father was born at Valparaiso, Chile, in 1847, and only became a official Naturalized British Subject on the 23rd March 1916, when he received his Naturalised certificate. Charles's mother was born in South Shields 1850, and was 61 in 1911. They had then been married for 35 years and had six children, three still living. They were married in Christ Church, Jarrow, on the 17th May 1875. His parents resided at 129 Ella Terrace, South Shields, in January 1900. In 1881, the family were residing at 38 Upper Wouldhave Street, South Shields, by 1883 they were at 34 Wouldhave Street. 1891 the family then resided at 80 Wouldhave Street, South Shields. In 1901 they resided at 18 Hunter’s Terrace, South Shields, and in 1911 resided at 9 Hunter’s Terrace. His father’s death was registered in Gateshead in 1925, aged 77. His mother’s death was registered in South Shields in 1914, aged 65.

The other children were Eleanor (born in Bill Quay, Gateshead, 1876, baptised 21st August 1876), Winifred (born in South Shields 1880, but died in South Shields, aged 11 in 1891) and Thomas Atkinson (born in South Shields 29th April 1885, died 18th July 1959), an accountancy clerk working for the Newcastle Corporation, in 1911. Thomas Atkinson Jarah played football for the Municipal Officer football team on Saturday 28th March 1914, against the M.O.A., at Gateshead Secondary School ground at 3pm. He also served in the Army with the 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers with the rank of Sergeant. Thomas had married Harriett Elizabeth [née King], born 12th February 1895, in Croydon during 1918. In 1939 they were residing at 8 Station Road, Lanchester.

Charles was educated at the Ocean Road County School then the Westoe Higher Grade School for boys on the 3rd July 1899. South Shields’ Boys’ High School, being admitted as a Corporation Scholar on the 17th January 1900. He left in December 1901. He then worked for the Liverpool Bank in South Shields, [now Barclays Bank Ltd], as a clerk.

Charles was a member of the South Shields Golf Club. He also through his brother was involved with the YMCA, at Fowler Street, where his brother played Ping Pong, [table tennis], for the team.

Charles Jarah enlisted on the 5th September 1914, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne into the 6th platoon 'B' Company, the 9th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Service number 12192 as a Private. His residence address then was 8 Blagdon Avenue, South Shields.

Charles was 5 feet 10 and a half inches tall, 132 lbs, Dark Complexion, Brown Eyes with Dark Brown hair. He arrives at Le Havre in France on the 15th July 1915, [52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division], and serves south of Ypres. Charles then returns to the UK on the 13th February 1916. He had applied for a commission on the 22nd November 1915. On the 14th February 1916 he is posted to the 9th Officers [Scottish], Cadet Battalion after being accepted for a temporary commission. On the 6th March 1916 he joins the 9th Officer Cadet Battalion as a Cadet at Gailes, Ayrshire. On the 6th July 1916 he is discharged to a temporary commission as a 2nd Lieutenant into the 23rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Charles is now residing at 4 Ashleigh Road, South Shields, he now nominates his father as Next of Kin. Now known as Charles Jarah, a widower, who is residing at 130 Croft Terrace, Westoe Road, South Shields.

Prior to this, Charles sister Eleanor, who had now married a Frank, was the next of kin residing at 'Heatherleigh', Rhodesia Road, Chesterfield.

Charles arrives in France on the 15th July 1916. He joined his battalion in the field on the 18th July 1916. He is posted to 'A' Company, in the 22nd (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

In June 1917, the 22nd Battalion was located at Strazeele until the 11th June. 'A' and 'B' companies were were moved forward to the Zillebeke sector and started to dig two new communication trenches at night as the Germans had observation balloons overhead. On June 20th, enemy shellfire caught two platoons filling sandbags in the open and caused many casualties. 2nd Lieutenant Charles Jarah was mortally wounded and died of his wounds in the 24th Field Ambulance Unit on the 20th June 1917. [This was one of three Field Ambulances assigned to the 8th Division]. Charles had been promoted to a Temporary Lieutenant from the 9th June 1917. The only personal effects listed, returned to his father was his Sam Browne belt. His personal Kit never arrived and was missing in transit when he was posted.

His father had moved from 7 Charlotte Street to 33 Saville Street in South Shields by 1919.

Charles left effects of £302 12s 5d to his father Charles Emmanuel Jarah in his will.

Research: James Hoy Archive and Mike Todd

Additional research:James Pasby, Barclays Bank Archives

Charles Jarah is remembered at Newcastle on NUT049, NUT108, NUT185, in NUT241 page 134, at Harton on H104.06, and at South Shields on S86.100, S86.137 and at Durham in D147.03b page 157.

Charles is also remembered in the Martins Bank Service ROH and the Liverpool Bank of service as well as the North Eastern Banking Group.

Lives of WW1
Bank of Liverpool Roll of Honour
North Eastern Banking Co ltd
The CWGC entry for Lieutenant Jarah