Main CPGW Record
Surname: CHILD
Forename(s): Charles Victor
Place of Birth: Wray, Lancashire
Service No: 265160
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 32
Date of Death: 1917-08-12
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: II. G. 20.
CWGC Cemetery: COXYDE MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Charles Victor Child was the son of William and Mary Ann Child, née Summers. William was born at Horsforth, Yorkshire and Mary at Wallsall, Staffordshire. William died in 1889.
1891 Coniston Cold, Yorkshire Census: 1, Bank Cottage - Charles Victor Child, aged 5 years, born Wray, Lancashire, son of Mary Ann Child, widow.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 26, George Street - Victor Child, aged 16 years, born Wray, Lancashire, son of Mary A. Child, widow.
Charles was married to Sarah Benson in 1907. Sarah married Rupert (named Reuben in some records) Carr in 1921.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 13, Brook Street - Charles Victor Child, aged 25 years, born Wray, Lancashire, husband of Sarah Child.
The British Army Service Record for Charles Victor Child exists but may be incomplete.
Charles is listed in the Nominal Roll of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): Pte C. V. Child.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Cpl Charles V. Child, 1768; Sjt 265160, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 14.4.15. K. in A. 12.7[sic].15[sic].
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Sgt Charles Victor Child, 265150, 1/6th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 12.8.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Sergt Charles Victor Child, 1768, 265150, 1/6th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 12.8.17. Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Sarah. £20 6s.2d. Self and children. War Gratuity: Widow - Sarah. £ 16 10s. 0d.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Sergt Charles Victor Child, 265150, 1/6th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 12.8.17. Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Sarah. £15 1s. 8d. and children.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Charles. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: S., born 28.7.85. Address: 14, Clitheroe Street, Skipton. Children: Mabel, born 23.3.08. Maud, born 21.1.10. Mary, born 19.6.11. Doris, born 19.12.12. Phyllis, born 10.9.14.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
CHILD, Sgt. Victor, aged 32, West Riding Regiment, 14, Clitheroe Street, Skipton, killed in action Aug. 12, 1917.
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Sergeant Charles Victor CHILD
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
24 August 1917
CHILD - August 12th 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Sergeant Victor Child, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, husband of Mrs. Child, 14, Clitheroe Street, Skipton, aged 32 years.
24 August 1917
SERGEANT VICTOR CHILD, SKIPTON
Sergeant Victor Child, of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Child of 14, Clitheroe Street, Skipton, was killed in action on August 12th. He is 32 years of age and leaves a widow and five children. He was a Territorial for eleven years prior to the war, and when hostilities commenced was called up and went out to France with his regiment in April 1915. His time expired last March, but he signed on again in June, and had any time been expecting a month's leave. He was formerly employed as a dyer at Belle Vue Mills, and at one time was a member of the Skipton Congregational Church Brotherhood.
Lieut. T. Coulthurst, in a letter to Mrs. Child, states:- "It is a very sad letter for me to write and express my sympathy for you in your great grief. Whilst I was with 'A' Company I soon learned the value of your husband and what he meant to his company. I know what a great loss it is for them, as he was respected by all. I went to his funeral this morning; he was carried to his resting place by men from the same platoon as he was in, and it was very easy to see how greatly they felt his loss. Please accept my sympathy, as I feel very greatly indeed for you and know what a terrible blow it must be for you."
Second Lieutenant C.H.E. Lowther writes:- "I expect you will have heard by now the sad news of the death in action of your husband. I was his platoon officer, and can sympathise with you very sincerely in your very sad bereavement, as I know better than most others his sterling qualities. He was not only thought very highly of by his officers, but by all who served under him. He was always cheerful and happy, and his good spirits had a wonderful effect on the men at all times. It is indeed a very great blow for No. 1 Platoon that we should lose your husband and Sergeant Ireland together. It may be some slight consolation to you to know that he was killed instantaneously, and therefore suffered no pain whatever. He died at 3 am. on Saturday morning, August 12th, whilst on duty, and was buried in a British cemetery and carried to his last resting place by men of his own company. I know this loss must be terrible for you and your family, but believe me, it is for us as well, as we have not only lost one of our best sergeants, but one whose cheery spirits and splendid example was of inestimable value to all who knew him. His children will always be proud that their father died so splendidly for his country, and left behind a memory never to be forgotten by the officers and men of 'A' Company. Please accept my deepest sympathies and those of the men of No. 1 Platoon for one whom they knew, with Sergeant Ireland, to be their very best friends."
Sergeant Sam Patchett, of Skipton, also writes:- "It is with great sorrow that I am writing this letter to tell you what perhaps you already know. Victor died on August 12th. I was not with him when he died, but I am told that it was instantaneous, and that he felt no pain whatever. He was buried several miles behind the line along with Sergeant W. Ireland, who was killed at the same time. I and several others attended his funeral, and today some of the lads have placed flowers on his grave. I know you will feel the blow very much indeed, but perhaps it will help to comfort you a little to know that he died as a man doing his duty; a man who was absolutely fearless in action, and one who was well liked by all. To me he was a pal, and as a pal of his I feel it my duty to write you and offer you my deepest sympathy in your great sorrow."
Private C.E. Newhouse of Skipton also writes offering his sympathy.
In his last letter to his wife, written the day before he was killed, Sergeant Child states:- "It is knocking on for winter now, and there does not seem to be any sign of a finish this summer so far, so I expect we shall be plodding on through another winter. We shall have to keep smiling and wait for the end. We have had a rough time of it lately and so have my men, but they stick it with a good heart. I had a Corporal wounded the other day. He is a Skipton lad, and they call him Knowles. He went out to the Front with me."
15 August 1919
CHILD - In loving memory of Victor Child, 1/6th Duke of Wellington's Regiment, killed in action August 13th, 1917.
There on the field of battle
He nobly took his place;
He fought and died for Britain
And the honour of his race.
From Mother and Brothers.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
24 August 1917
CHILD - Killed in action Aug. 12th, Sergt. Victor Child, of the West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Child, of 14, Clitheroe Street, Skipton, aged 32.
24 August 1917
MORE SKIPTON SOLDIERS KILLED
Sergt. Victor Child
Sergt. Victor Child, of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Child, of 14, Clitheroe Street, was killed in action on August 12th. He was 32 years of age and leaves a widow and five children. He was a Territorial for eleven years prior to the war, and when the present hostilities commenced he was called up and went out to France with his regiment in April, 1915. His time expired last March, but he signed on again in June, and had any time been expecting a month's leave. He was formerly employed as a dyer at Belle Vue Mills, and at one time was a member of the Skipton Congregational Church Brotherhood.
Lieut. T. Coulthurst, in a letter to Mrs. Child, states:- "It is a very sad letter for me to write and express my sympathy for you in your great grief. Whilst I was with 'A' Company I soon learned the value of your husband and what he meant to the company. I know what a great loss it is for them, as he was respected by all. I went to his funeral this morning; he was carried to his resting place by men from the same platoon as he was in, and it was very easy for me to see how greatly they felt his loss. Please accept my sympathy, as I feel very greatly indeed for you, and I know what a terrible blow it must be for you."
Second-Lieutenant C. H. E. Lowther writes:- "I expect you will have heard by now the sad news of the death in action of your husband. I was his platoon officer, and can sympathise with you very sincerely in your very sad bereavement as I know better than most others his. sterling qualities. He was not only thought very highly of by his officers, but by all the men who served under him. He was always cheerful and happy, and his good spirits had a wonderful effect on the men at all times. It is indeed a very great blow for No. 1 Platoon that we should lose your husband and Sergt. Ireland together. It may be some slight consolation to you to know that he was killed instantaneously, and therefore suffered no pain whatever. He died at 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, August 12th, whilst on duty, and was buried in a British cemetery, and carried to his last resting place by men of his own company. I know this loss must be terrible for you and your family, but, believe me, it is for us as well, as we have not only lost one of our best sergeants, but one whose cheery spirits and splendid example was of inestimable value to all who knew him. His children will always be proud that their father died so splendidly for his country and left behind a memory never to forgotten by the officers and men of 'A' Company. Please accept my deepest sympathies and those of the men of No. 1 Platoon for one whom they knew, with Sergt. Ireland, to be their very best friend."
Sergeant Sam Patchett of Skipton, also writes:- "It is with great sorrow that I am writing this letter to tell you what perhaps you already know. Victor died on August 12th. I was not with him when he died but I am told that it was instantaneous, and that he felt no pain whatever. He was buried several miles behind the line along with Sergt. W. Ireland, who was killed at the same time. I and several others attended his funeral, and today some of the lads have placed flowers on his grave. I know you will feel the blow very much indeed, but perhaps it will help to comfort you a little to know that he died as a man doing his duty, a man who was absolutely fearless in action, and one who was well liked by all. To me he was a pal, and as a pal of his I felt it my duty to write you and offer you my deepest sympathy in your great sorrow."
Pte. C. E. Newhouse, of Skipton, also writes offering his sympathy.
In his last letter home to his wife, written the day before he was killed, Sergeant Child states:- "It is knocking on for winter now, and there does not seem to be any sign of a finish this summer so far, as I expect we shall be plodding on through another winter. We shall have to, keep smiling and wait for the end. We have had a rough time of it lately, and so have my men, but they stick it with a good heart. I had a Corporal wounded the other day. He is a Skipton lad, and they call him Knowles. He went out to the front with me."
09 August 1918
In loving memory of a dear husband and father, Sergt. C.P. Child, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who was killed Aug. 12th, 1917, and was laid to rest in Coxyde Cemetery.
Just when his hopes were brightest,
Just when his thoughts were best;
Just when he thought of his home-coming
He was called to rest.
They miss him most who loved him best.
- From his loving Wife and Children and his Mother.
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