HADLEY Charles Frederick

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission incorrectly records William Hadley as the father of Charles Hadley when in fact his father was John William Hadley. All records identified as relating to Charles give John Hadley as his father and next of kin.

The birth of John William Hadley is registered in the September Quarter 1857 under the Worcester Registration District. The marriage of John William Hadley to Emily Portlock is registered in the December Quarter 1878 under the Birmingham Registration District. The birth of Charles Frederick Hadley is registered in the December Quarter 1887 under the Aston Registration District. The death of Emily Hadley is registered in the June Quarter 1895 under the Aston Registration District. The death of John W. Hadley aged 62 is registered in the March Quarter 1919 under the Birmingham Registration District.

Charles Frederick Hadley enlisted as a Private in the 6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Service No 9624, on the 5th April 1904 at the Recruiting Office, Birmingham for a term of 6 years. He was born in Birmingham, on his attestation paper he gave his address as 13 Court 4 House, Sheep St, Birmingham and his age as 17 years and 7 months. He was employed as a Factory Labourer by Ansell and Jones, Brass Founders, Kensington St, Birmingham. Charles was five feet four and a half inches tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment on 17th September 1904. He gave his next of kin as his father, John Hadley, 13 Court 4 House, Sheep Street, Birmingham.

1891 Census
Heneage street, Aston, Birmingham
John Hadley, head, age 34, Engine driver Loco ED, born Birmingham
Emma Hadley, wife, age 28, born Birmingham
Edith Hadley, daughter, age 9, Scholar, born Birmingham
Harry Hadley, son, age 7, scholar, born Birmingham
Leah Hadley, daughter, age 5, scholar, born Birmingham,
Charley Hadley, son, age 3, born Birmingham
May Hadley, daughter, age 11 months, born Birmingham

1911 Census
Albany Barracks, Isle of Wight Hampshire
Charles Frederick Hadley, Private, age 24, born Birmingham, Warwickshire

The marriage of Charles Hadley to Minnie Perry is registered in the December Quarter 1911 under the Birmingham Registration District.

The following information has been researched by and is courtesy of Sarah Jonsson, 2nd great niece of Charles Hadley and great, great granddaughter of John William Hadley:
Emily died during childbirth in 1895 along with their baby son, George. His death aged 0 is also registered in the same quarter as Emily’s. John, Charles’ father, remarried and had further children.

DeRuvigny’s Roll of Honour:
Hadley, Charles Frederick, Private, No. 8675, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Son of John Hadley; born Birmingham, 6 October 1899; educated St Joseph’s, Aston, Birmingham; served some years with the Colours and then joined the Reserve; was called up on the outbreak of war in August 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France; was reported missing after the Battle of the Marne, and is now assumed to have been killed in action 31 October 1914. He married at Birmingham, 27 December 1911, Minnie (7, Temperance Square, Wilton Street, Lozells, Aston, Birmingham), daughter of James Perry and had two sons: Charles Frederick, born 4 January 1913, and Arthur John, born 27 March 1914.

Charles Hadley has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.