CROWTHER Charles

The birth of Charles Crowther is registered in the September Quarter 1871 under the Droitwich Registration District.

Information in All Saints Church, Wilden states that Charles died in Malta of wounds received in Gallipoli aged 44 and was buried in Malta.

Charles died on February 2nd at Malta of wounds received at Gallipoli on 29th November 1915. He was the first man in Wilden to offer his services and the first to fall. In the early part of last year he was sent to France and after a very short stay was invalided to England, spending several weeks in hospital at Manchester. He sailed for the Dardanelles in September. Charles received his wounds (shrapnel in lung and shoulder) while out with a wiring party, the day after returning to the trenches, subsequent upon a week in the rest hospital suffering from dysentery. Admitted to hospital at Malta on December 8th dangerously ill with wounds, frostbite and dysentery.  For some time his progress was satisfactory. Nurse Glover (late of Hartlebury) wrote home “He is progressing favourably and has been visited by the Governor of Malta”. Previously served in the South African War with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Aged 44, and a native of Wilden, employed by Alfred Baldwin. Leaves a widow and five children.

In November 1915 the 9th Worcesters were manning the forward defences at Suvla.

Sources for additional information: Kidderminster Times 1st January 1916, Kidderminster Shuttle 12th February 1916, Kidderminster Shuttle 19th February 1916, reported with photo.