@GreatWarGroup @CWGC @HelenR864 #WW1

105 years ago #OnThisDay 28 November 1915

19503 Private Charles Edward Whitehorn (2 Bn, The Wiltshire Regiment) killed in action, aged 20

Charlie is buried in Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, about 5 miles E of Béthune

1/6

b.1895 Charlie was 2nd of Enos & Ada Whitehorn’s 7 children
The family lived at West Tytherley, Hants, 8 miles E of Salisbury
Charlie was employed in “garden work”. Younger sister Nora recalled him as “a bit delicate” & that Ada “didn’t ask him to do very much” at home
2/6

Nevertheless, aged 19, Charlie enlisted in Salisbury & after training went home on leave before going to France

The family watched from the garden gate as Charlie walked away towards Dean station, waving long after they lost sight of him. They would never see him again

3/6

In Charlie served with the Wiltshires, who in late September took part in the Battle of Loos.
Charlie was killed 28 November, possibly when the Germans exploded a mine near the trenches, “without doing any material damage” and on an otherwise “uneventful” day.
4/6

As Nora said, news of Charlie‘s death “really spoiled our Christmas that year”.
A mate brought a dried plant from his grave for Ada; she kept it & 3 service medals he earned in a frame with photos at home.
Nora was my grandmother; Charlie Whitehorn is my great-uncle.
5/6

Charlie Whitehorn was a very ordinary man. His service was short and unexceptional. Nevertheless #WW1 could never have been won without him and 000s other like him.

I am proud to remember him today, the anniversary of his death.

6/6