Charles William Youngs (1891-1916) of Martham
Charles is listed on the War Memorial as one of those who gave his life during the First World War.
Charles was born in 1891 in Martham as the fourth child of Robert Youngs & Caroline, nee Webster. He had four siblings, namely: Florence Selina (b1883); Frederick John (1887); Hettie Caroline (b1889) and Helen Elizabeth (b1894).
Charles was baptized on 12th October 1891 in Martham. He was listed in the 1901 census living with his parents at The Green, Martham when he was 9. And, again in the 1911 census when he was 19 and had left home and was a boarder with the Lee family at 1 Brown Street, Northendon, Manchester.
He served in the army in 1916 in France with the 1st Battalion the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) formerly the 16831 Manchester Regiment as Private 28074. He was killed in action between 13th & 15th November 1916 at Flanders and was buried at Serre Road Cemetery No 2, Somme, France (Plot I, Row A, Grave 22). As well as being commemorated on Martham War Memorial he is also remembered on his parent’s grave at St Mary the Virgin graveyard section H, plot H25.
Charles was reported missing in November 1916, almost certainly during the battle of the Ancre, but the family were not informed that he had been killed until March 1917. The delay probably accounts for why his parents gravestone at Martham, that also commemorates him, says he died on 15th November 1917 one year later than his actual death. The Battle of the Ancre (13-18 November 1916), was fought by the Fifth Army against the German 1st Army. The battle was the final large British attack of the Battle of the Somme.