Charles (Charlie) Lapsley

The 1/4th Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/04/1915 and were part of the 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division when Charles fell. Charles' Company were heavily shelled whilst occupying the left hand sector along the Ypres-Commines Canal. He was Killed in Action just 22 days after being with his Battalion at the front. SEE PHOTOS x 14 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM 29th OCTOBER (the day Charles joined the Battalion) - 20th NOVEMBER 1915 (the day Charles was Killed in Action). The War Diary states - YPRES SALIENT NOV. 20th "Work in all Trenches overnight improving parapets - quiet night with occasional bursts of M/Gun fire from enemy traversing in rear of Trenches - Work where possible by day in all Trenches. Lt. Col. G.K. SULLIVAN wounded by shell - enemy shelled CANAL BANK as usual during afternoon. 1647 Pte. H.E. YARNOLD bullet head. 2648 G. WORMERSLEY bullet arm". Charles was formerly with the 7th (Service) Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, "D" Company (12052) but after joining on the 30/08/1914 he was discharged after 1 month. The cause of discharge was - "Worthless and not likely to become an efficient soldier". He re-joined the West Riding Regiment on the 22/03/1915. He was at home until he embarked from Southampton aboard troop carrier S.S. "Mona's Queen" on the 12/10/1915 arriving at Le Havre on the 13/10/1915. He then proceeded to the front on the 27/10/1915 and joined his Battalion in the field on the 29/10/1915. Charles was previously with this Regiment in India before the outbreak of war. A huge thank you to Harry Breen in Essex (Jane / Jean Lapsley's son) for information on Charles' family and for photos. See Directory for Charles' stepmother's son 2nd Lieutenant Herbert McVie's page. See Charles' 1/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) Service Record (10) for a list of Charles' effects being sent to his wife Mary. See photos for Charles' Medal Index Card, his and Mary Elizabeth's Marriage Certificate, his father and mother's Marriage Certificate, his mother Bridget's Death Certificate, his sister Catherine's Marriage Certificate, his sister Catherine's Death Certificate, Charles' sister Elizabeth's Birth Certificate, Elizabeth listed on the 1911 Census, Elizabeth's Death Certificate, Charles' half-sister Jane's (Jean) Baptism Certificate, Jane (Jean) and Charles' stepmother Catherine and Charles' half-sister Jane (Jean) x 3. Finally, see photos for Charles' CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial x 2, Charles' Pension Records x 3, Memorial Certificate available to print above, Memorial Certificate available from the CWGC, his King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Service Records x 5, the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Cap Badge, his Service Records with the 1/4th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) x 20, the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) Cap Badge, PAGES x 17 FROM THE HISTORY OF THE 1/4th BATTALION DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S (WEST RIDING REGIMENT) BOOK NOVEMBER 1915, the 49th (West Riding) Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division Charles was with when he fell) and a Newspaper clipping from the Coatbridge Express 08/10/1915.