'Clitheroe Times' (24 November 1916)
(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)
[Untitled article]
Private C.M. Apperley, Royal Fusiliers, has been selected for a commission. He is a son of the Rev. E.H. Apperley, Salthill-terrace, Clitheroe.
'Clitheroe Advertiser' (11 January 1918)
(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)
[Untitled article]
Pte. W. Bailey, formerly employed at Commercial Mill, reached home from France on New Year's Day, looking fit and well after his long campaign. Gunner George Douglas, of the marine mine-sweepers, has also been on leave, and others we have met during the week are Sec.-Lieut. C.M. Apperley, Fred Knowles, F. Wiggans, and Jack Bell.
'Clitheroe Advertiser' (5 April 1918)
(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)
[Untitled article]
Sympathy will be readily given to Rev. E.H. and Mrs. Apperley in their anxiety concerning their son, Lieut. Chas. Apperley, whose batman notified them that he saw their son carried off the field wounded and taken to a dressing station. The Germans were advancing at the time. We trust the parents will soon have definite and satisfactory news of him.
'Clitheroe Advertiser' (12 April 1918)
(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)
[Untitled article]
The Rev. and Mrs. E.H. Apperley have been notified that their younger son, Sec.-Lieut. C.H. Apperley, is reported wounded and missing. It appears from a further letter which has come to hand from his batman, who has arrived, wounded, at Cardiff, that Lieut. Apperley was carried to a dugout for surgical treatment, and the man had subsequently to flee, as the enemy had practically surrounded the place. There is ground for hope that Lieut. Apperley was taken captive and sent to hospital. We most sincerely trust that reassuring news may be received by his parents and relatives who have the deepest sympathy of their townspeople in this time of mental anguish.
'Clitheroe Advertiser' (19 July 1918)
(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)
[Untitled article]
The Rev. E.H. and Mrs. Apperley, Salt Hill-road, received the sad intelligence, on Tuesday, that their son, Sec.-Lieut. Chas. M. Apperley, Gordon Highlanders, has yielded his life. Numerous reports have been received respecting Lieut. Apperley, but the following communication which was forwarded by Miss M. Wainwright, O.B.E. (cousin of the deceased), who is the Commandant of the Pyecroft Hospital, Manchester, does not appear to leave any room for doubt:
"We deeply regret to inform you that we have to-day ( 3rd July) received the sad news that Sec.-Lieut. Chas. M. Apperley, Machine Gun Corps, Gordon Highlanders, died from wounds in the field hospital at Bouchain."
This communication emanates from Geneva, and is signed, "J. Goodman, Queen Victoria Jubilee Fund Association."
It has been reported that the deceased officer had charge of two machine guns, one of which burst and wounded him in the back. This, however, has not been confirmed.
Sympathy with the bereaved parents will be widespread, their son being highly popular. A cashier at the Blackburn branch of the Manchester and Liverpool and District Bank, Lieut. Apperley joined the Royal Fusiliers as a ranker in July, 1916. He proved such an efficient soldier that promotion was rapid, and he went to the Front in July, last year, as an officer. He was reported missing on March 23rd. 'Charlie' took a very active interest in the Adult School movement, both in Clitheroe and Blackburn, and was secretary of the local men's school. He also took a prominent part in connection with the establishment of the P.S.A., assisting his father with the secretarial work. He was allied to the Congregational Church, and could ever be depended upon to assist any cause which sought to advance moral and social welfare. A voracious reader, a good and concise speaker (with the added charm of a pleasant, deep voice), his services were much sought after. He was held in warm affection by all who worked with him, and his sacrifice is a source of grief to many outside his family circle.
'Clitheroe Advertiser' (2 August 1918)
(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)
CLITHEROE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
THE LATE LIEUT. APPERLEY
The monthly meeting of the Education Committee was held yesterday, in the Town Hall. Alderman Mitchell, who occupied the chair, said he very much regretted being called upon to fill that position because he had a very sad and sorrowful duty to perform in proposing a vote of condolence and sincere sympathy with their esteemed colleague, the Rev. E.H. Apperley, and his wife in the grievous loss they recently suffered by the death of their son, Lieutenant Apperley, of the Gordon Highlanders. "It is indeed heartbreaking," continued the Chairman," to see the flower of our youth sacrificed in this wickedly-conceived and devilish war, and it needs all our faith and fortitude to bear up under the successive tragedies, and to endure to the end. It was not my privilege to know Lieutenant Apperley except as a fellow-traveller on the railway line, but it was easy to see the bright promise there was in the lad and to understand the loss his death will be to the future of England. Our Chairman had a more intimate knowledge of Lieutenant Apperley, and I will read the letter which I have received from Councillor Musson:-
"I am sorry to say I shall not be in my usual position at the Education Committee, on Thursday, when the first business of the meeting will be to express sympathy with Mr. and Mrs. Apperley in their sad and tragic loss. Although I know you will be able to express the feelings of the Committee in words more aptly chosen than any I could have selected, I should very much have liked to join with the Education Committee in their expression of sympathy owing to the very great liking and admiration I had for Charlie Apperley. He greatly felt being held back when his friends were off to the war, not that he liked the idea of going to fight, but he viewed this war in the right perspective from the start, and he felt it was a struggle in which no one could hand on his responsibility to another. Charles Apperley's name is one of which Clitheroe should be proud."
The motion was seconded by the Mayor (Alderman Roberts) who said he knew Lieutenant Apperley as a very bright, intelligent, honest and straightforward young man, who could always be relied upon to perform any duty which he accepted. It must be a great trial to Mr. and Mrs. Apperley to endure such a loss, but it would be some consolation to them to know that their son was liked and respected by all with whom he came in contact. All the people whom he (the speaker) had met described the late Lieutenant Apperley as "a fine young fellow," and the parents had his sympathy.
The resolution was carried by all the members and officials rising.
Mr. Apperley, who was greatly affected, briefly returned his thanks.
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
1918
APPERLEY Charles Milton of 18 Salt Hill-terrace Clitheroe Lancashire second-lieutenant His Majesty's Army died 28 March 1918 in France on active service Administration London 8 November to Edward Hodges Apperley retired congregational minister. Effects £427 18s. 3d.
1920
APPERLEY Edward Hodges of 18 Salt Hill-terrace Clitheroe Lancashire died 23 May 1920 Probate London 28 July to Mary Apperley widow. Effects £688 9s.
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