WORRALL Charles

Charles Worrall was a pre-war regular soldier and he would have been called up as a reservist in August 1914. He joined the 3rd Battalion, which crossed to France on the 12th August, to take part in the battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat. The battle of the Marne in early September frustrated the German advance and the Worcesters were able to move back as far as the Aisne. After this success they moved north to stop the next German attack in Flanders. After the Battle of La Bassee they moved on to Ploegsteert Wood for yet another defensive battle on the 7th November. This was the last German attack of the Autumn and one which they hoped would drive the British back on the Channel. The Worcesters fought with great courage and helped to halt the German advance. However, casualties were high and Private Charles Worrall was among those killed in action. He is also commemorated on the St. Thomas’s church and Methodist church memorials.

The following information has been researched and transcribed by Sandra Taylor:
Charles Worrall was the son of William and Anna Worrall. He enlisted as a Private in the Worcestershire Regiment at Worcester on 23rd January 1902. He was discharged to the Army Reserve on 22nd January 1910 at the expiration of his period of army service. On this date Charles was 5 feet 6 inches tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. Although his trade was shown as a leather worker, he stated he was going to take employment as a porter on the railway. His intended place of residence was his father William Worrall’s house at 19 Coventry Street, Stourbridge. Charles had at least 4 brothers, Alfred, William, Edward and John, and one sister, Jane. On 29th October 1911 Charles married Ellen Parton at St John’s Church, Stourbridge and the couple set up home at 3 Chapel Street, Stourbridge. Their first daughter, Hannah Helen Worrall was born on 3rd January 1912, their second daughter, Elizabeth, was born on 24th November 1913. With the outbreak of war on 4th August 1914, Charles was mobilised just one day later on 5th August 1914 and posted overseas on 11th September 1914. Less than 2 months later he was killed in action at Ploegsteert, Belgium. His wife Ellen (recorded as Helen on a number of army records) was awarded a pension of 18/6 a week for herself and their two daughters with effect from 5th July 1915. Charles was awarded the 1914 Bronze Star with Clasp, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

The following local newspaper report has been researched by, and is courtesy of, a relative of Charles Worrall:
The Late Pte. Charles Worrall of 3, Chapel street, Stourbridge, regarding whom news reached his relatives yesterday week that he was killed in action on November 7th, at Ploegsteert. A reservist of the 3rd Worcesters, he was employed prior to the war by Messrs. W and J. Turney, Ltd. He was called to the colours on August 5th and left England with the first Expeditionary Force. Pte. Worrall leaves a widow and two children.
The report includes a photograph of Charles Worrall.

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