FIELD Charles

Military Funeral at Catshill
Mr Henry Field, of Yarnold Lane, Bournheath, received news last week of the death of his son, Private Charles Field, of the 4th Worcesters, at the Military Hospital, Devonport, on September 1st. Great sympathy is felt for the parents, as this is the second son they have lost in six months, the other one, Private W. Field, of the 2nd Worcesters, being killed in action in France in March last, as reported in the “Messenger” at the time. A younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Field has enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery, and is stationed at Exeter. Private Charles Field was 26 years of age, and had been in the Army 5 years. He was stationed in India when the war broke out, and was sent out with his regiment to the Dardanelles, where he went through several engagements unscathed, but, unfortunately, he contracted dysentery. When able to travel he was sent to the Military Hospital at Devonport, where he passed away, as stated above. His mother made the journey to Devonport to see him, but he died just before her arrival. The authorities sent the body of the deceased soldier home, arriving at Bromsgrove Station on Friday evening.

The funeral of Private Charles Field took place at Christ Church, Catshill, on Monday afternoon. Deep sympathy was shown by a great crowd of people who attended, and, according to an old inhabitant, there were never so many people together in Catshill at one time during his memory. The cortege left the deceased’s home in Yarnold Lane, escorted by a firing party of fourteen from Norton Barracks, Worcester, who were all soldiers who had been at the Front, and who were under the command of Sergeant-major Lunn and Corporal Day. As the body left the house the firing party presented arms, and marched to the church with arms reversed. They again presented arms as the coffin entered the church, borne on the shoulders of friends of the deceased, the procession being met by the Rev. W.T. Clements, who conducted the service. A great crowd filled the churchyard. A large number also had a good view from the adjoining road, along which traffic had to be stopped for a short time, and several of the more venturesome also climbed the trees which surround the churchyard. Everything passed off quietly and reverently, and at the close the firing party fired three volleys over the grave of their deceased comrade. The Vicar, The Rev. J Kidd, attended the service. Mr George Stiles, of Bromsgrove, conducted the funeral.
Private Field is commemorated in the Catshill Cemetery [Christ Church] North East Corner.

The following information has been researched by Andrew Bate:
1891 Census
Parish Hill, Bournheath
Henry Field, head, aged 35, Nailmaker
Alice Field, wife, aged 25
William H.E. Hemus, son, aged 7
Florence A.P. Field, daughter, aged 4
Charles A. Field, son, aged 2
Walter E. Field, son, aged 3 months

1901 Census
Parish Hill, North Bromsgrove
Henry Field, head, aged 45, Nailmaker
Alice Field, wife, aged 35
William H. Hemus, son, aged 17, Glass bottle maker
Florence A.P. Field, daughter, aged 14
Charles A. Field, son, aged 12
Walter E. Field, son, aged 10
Mable A. Field, daughter, aged 8
Harry Field, son, aged 3
George L. Field, son, aged 1
Albert Field, son, aged 1 month