2nd Lt
Charles Edward Sherwood
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 20/12/1895 |
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Place of birth: Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Bookstall Attendant |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Second Lieutenant |
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Service number: / |
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Units: — Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 5th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 22/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Tower Hamlets, Geluveld, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 21 |
Cemetery
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Hooge Crater Cemetery Plot: XVII Row: C Grave: 9 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal — 23/01/1920 |
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Victory Medal Medal — 23/01/1920 |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Charles Edward Stuart was born in December 1895. He was the sixth child of James and Kate Sherwood of Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire. According to the 1911 Census Charles worked as a Bookstall Attendant, while living with his mother at 157 Newport Road in Stantonbury. Charles enlisted for the army and initially served as a trooper with the Household Battalion. He eventually got a commission as a second lieutenant with the 5th Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, part of the 42nd Brigade of the 14th (Light) Division.
In October 1917 the 14th Division was engaged in the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. The 5th Ox & Bucks moved into the frontlines in mid-October. They were holding dirty and muddy trenches between the Menin Road, near Geluveld Wood, and the Scheriabeek stream. The Germans opposite them in the ruins of Geluveld held the high ground and had an excellent view on the Ox & Bucks’ positions. The men were therefore frequently subjected to heavy shelling and sniper fire. Casualties kept stacking up.
After five arduous days at the front Charles’ Battalion was relieved from the first line. The 5th Ox & Bucks moved into support in the Tower Hamlets area, south of the Menin Road. The men were cramped together in a series of pill-boxes and open trenches. At 5.30 a.m. on 22 October 1917 an allied barrage came down on the German lines, as the British launched another attack near Poelkapelle and the Houthulst forest. The German artillery immediately retaliated and the 5th Ox & Bucks’ front was heavily shelled, killing 21-year old second lieutenant Sherwood.
Charles was buried in the nearby Pill Box Cemetery. His remains were exhumed from this makeshift cemetery after the war and he was reinterred in Hooge Crater Cemetery.
In October 1917 the 14th Division was engaged in the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. The 5th Ox & Bucks moved into the frontlines in mid-October. They were holding dirty and muddy trenches between the Menin Road, near Geluveld Wood, and the Scheriabeek stream. The Germans opposite them in the ruins of Geluveld held the high ground and had an excellent view on the Ox & Bucks’ positions. The men were therefore frequently subjected to heavy shelling and sniper fire. Casualties kept stacking up.
After five arduous days at the front Charles’ Battalion was relieved from the first line. The 5th Ox & Bucks moved into support in the Tower Hamlets area, south of the Menin Road. The men were cramped together in a series of pill-boxes and open trenches. At 5.30 a.m. on 22 October 1917 an allied barrage came down on the German lines, as the British launched another attack near Poelkapelle and the Houthulst forest. The German artillery immediately retaliated and the 5th Ox & Bucks’ front was heavily shelled, killing 21-year old second lieutenant Sherwood.
Charles was buried in the nearby Pill Box Cemetery. His remains were exhumed from this makeshift cemetery after the war and he was reinterred in Hooge Crater Cemetery.
Sources 4
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/459276/sherwood,-charles-edward/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 5th Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Further reference |