On the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium is the name of 2254 Lance Corporal William Mustard Charlton, serving with the 1/7th Battalion (T.F.) Durham Light Infantry who died 24/05/1915.

The husband of Alice Place (formerly Charlton), of 14, Wear Street, Southwick, Sunderland.

William Mustard Charlton was the eldest son of James Mustard, of Southwick, Bottle blower, and his wife, Jane, daughter of William Charlton of Southwick.

He was born in Southwick on the 28th October 1890 and was educated at the National School. William was employed at Priestman’s Yard at Sunderland.

William married at Sunderland, 5th April 1913, Alice (16 Ogle Terrace, Southwick), the 4th daughter of Samuel Kirkham of Middlesbrough. They had two sons: William, born 23rd September 1913 and John, born 28th February 1915.

William joined the 1/7th Battalion (T.F.) Durham Light Infantry on the 5th May 1913. He re-joined again for Imperial service abroad.

He arrived at the front on the 21st May 1915 but was killed in action on the 24th May 1915, at Hill 60.

His wife remarried and resided at 14, Wear Street, Southwick, Sunderland. Her surname was now Place.

Source: De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

He was the brother of Thomas Holt Charlton.

The CWGC entry and all other records give his name as “Charlton” only De Ruvigny uses Charleton.

William Mustard Charlton is remembered at Southwick on S130.22, in Peter Gibson’s book, on the 7th D.L.I. Roll of Honour and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 128.