Sgt
Charles Harry Coverdale
Information about birth
|
Date of birth: 21/04/1888 |
|
Place of birth: Manchester, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
|
Last known residence: 7 Skerton Road, Manchester, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
|
Profession: Fitter |
Army information
|
Country: England, United Kingdom |
|
Force: British Expeditionary Force |
|
Rank: Sergeant |
|
Service number: 4926 |
|
Enlistment date: 07/09/1914 |
|
Enlistment place: Chorlton-on-Medlock, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
|
Units: — Manchester Regiment, 11th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
|
Date of death: 20/11/1955 |
|
Place of death: 37 Ingfield Avenue, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
|
Cause of death: Death post-war (unrelated) |
|
Age: 67 |
Cemetery
|
Edgerton Cemetery Plot: Unknown Row: Unknown Grave: Unknown |
Distinctions and medals 2
|
Military Medal Medal |
|
Victoria Cross Medal |
Points of interest 5
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Location of medal-earning event | ||
| #5 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Charles Harry Coverdale was the one of three sons of John and Emily Coverdale. He was born on 21 April 1888 in Manchester, Lancashire. Before the war, Charles lived in Manchester and worked as a engineer’s fitter. Shortly after the outbreak of war, in September 1914, he enlisted in the British army. He belonged to the 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment (34th Brigade, 11th Division).
On 4 October 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele, Charles and his battalion took part in an attack on Poelkapelle. The attack started near Pheasant Farm. First to be neutralised was Malta House. After fending off a counterattack, the first objective, just before the village of Poelkapelle, could be taken. While advancing towards the second objective, just beyond Poelkapelle, the 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment was held up by shelling from the direction of Poelkapelle church and brewery. Despite the delay, they managed to take the objective. In the process, Gloster Farm was also attacked. Sergeant Coverdale took out the snipers that were slowing the advance. He killed one German officer and took two prisoners. Shortly afterwards, his platoon was again machine-gunned. Sergeant Coverdale again rushed forward and killed or wounded the Germans present. He then aimed the captured machine guns at the German troops.
Eventually, both the 33rd and 34th Brigades managed to reach Poelkapelle. A patrol led by Sergeant Coverdale tried to break through the Allied barrage in order to take Munier House. However, that attack attempt failed: nine men were casualties of their own barrage and Sergeant Coverdale had to retreat. At 13h30, Sergeant Coverdale was to make another attempt to take Munier House, this time with a patrol of five men. However, they came under fire again, but also noticed the preparation of a German counterattack with about 40 men advancing from across the ridge near Munier House. German troops were also spotted north-east of Beek Houses. That German counterattack could be eliminated thanks to a barrage.
Charles Harry Coverdale's effort during this attack did not go unnoticed. Charles had already received the Military Medal in August 1917 for temporarily assuming command of the platoon. This time he was rewarded for his efforts with a Victoria Cross, the highest British military decoration. This was also announced in the London Gazette of 18 December 1917.
Charles Harry Coverdale would continue to serve in the Manchester Regiment until the end of the war. In October 1918, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. In March 1919, he was demobilised and returned home. Just a few months later, he married Clara Florence Baron. Together they had two sons. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Charles enlisted again. He eventually died after both wars at the age of 67 at his home in Huddersfield, Yorkshire on 20 November 1955. He was buried with military honours at Edgerton Cemetery.
On 4 October 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele, Charles and his battalion took part in an attack on Poelkapelle. The attack started near Pheasant Farm. First to be neutralised was Malta House. After fending off a counterattack, the first objective, just before the village of Poelkapelle, could be taken. While advancing towards the second objective, just beyond Poelkapelle, the 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment was held up by shelling from the direction of Poelkapelle church and brewery. Despite the delay, they managed to take the objective. In the process, Gloster Farm was also attacked. Sergeant Coverdale took out the snipers that were slowing the advance. He killed one German officer and took two prisoners. Shortly afterwards, his platoon was again machine-gunned. Sergeant Coverdale again rushed forward and killed or wounded the Germans present. He then aimed the captured machine guns at the German troops.
Eventually, both the 33rd and 34th Brigades managed to reach Poelkapelle. A patrol led by Sergeant Coverdale tried to break through the Allied barrage in order to take Munier House. However, that attack attempt failed: nine men were casualties of their own barrage and Sergeant Coverdale had to retreat. At 13h30, Sergeant Coverdale was to make another attempt to take Munier House, this time with a patrol of five men. However, they came under fire again, but also noticed the preparation of a German counterattack with about 40 men advancing from across the ridge near Munier House. German troops were also spotted north-east of Beek Houses. That German counterattack could be eliminated thanks to a barrage.
Charles Harry Coverdale's effort during this attack did not go unnoticed. Charles had already received the Military Medal in August 1917 for temporarily assuming command of the platoon. This time he was rewarded for his efforts with a Victoria Cross, the highest British military decoration. This was also announced in the London Gazette of 18 December 1917.
Charles Harry Coverdale would continue to serve in the Manchester Regiment until the end of the war. In October 1918, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. In March 1919, he was demobilised and returned home. Just a few months later, he married Clara Florence Baron. Together they had two sons. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Charles enlisted again. He eventually died after both wars at the age of 67 at his home in Huddersfield, Yorkshire on 20 November 1955. He was buried with military honours at Edgerton Cemetery.
Sources 4
|
"No. 13222". The London Gazette (Supplement), 18 December 1917. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/ Sources used |
|
11 Battalion Manchester Regiment, (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1821/1). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
|
McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), 114-115. Sources used |
|
Snelling, Stephen. VCs of the First World War: Passchendaele 1917 (sl., Wrens Park Publishing, 2000), 193-197. Sources used |
More information 1
|
Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5111498 |