Charles Frederick Howes

A Private with 9th Bn., Charles died on 26th of September 1915 at the age of 33. 

Charles was born at Blundeston in 1882, a son of Frederick Robert and Hannah Ada Eliza Howes. He was baptised at Saint Mary’s Church, Blundeston, on 4 February 1883. In 1891 his family lived at High Street, Blundeston. In 1901 Charles, lived, and worked, at the Plough Inn, Blundeston, and was an ostler. Later his family lived at Normans Cottage, The Street, Blundeston.  

Charles volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Great Yarmouth. He joined the Norfolk Regiment and was posted to the 9th Battalion. Charles arrived in France with the 9th Battalion on 30 August 1915. 

A note in the East Anglian Daily Times, of 4 September 1915, stated:

Four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Howes, of Blundeston, are also serving in the Army:-
Charles Frederick Howes, 9th Norfolks.
Ernest William Howes, Royal Army Medical Corps
Robert George Howes, Royal Engineers (in France)
William Stanley Howes, 6th Suffolks (Cyclists)

The 9th Battalion War Diary has:

25 September. Left Bethune and marched for Lonely Tree Hill as rear battalion when we formed up for attack in support of 11th Essex. At 3.30 a.m. on Sunday 26th we got orders to move and assist the 20th Infantry Brigade and to assault The Quarries at dawn. We drew up in the German front line trenches at 5.30 a.m. The attack was launched at 6.45 a.m. but owing to the heavy fire and especially to snipers no progress was possible and so cover was taken once more in the trenches. During Sunday 26th we occupied the trenches. 
At 4 p.m. the 2nd Battalion Worcesters came through us to attack The Quarries. At 7 p.m. the Germans opened heavy rifle fire on our trenches sending up flares, we manned the reverse slope of the trenches in order to await the attack of Germans. (The) fire being so hot we retired to trenches behind to get cover for the men. The Grenadier Guards came up and occupied these trenches, so we retired to Lonely Tree, finding the trenches occupied by our troops on the way.
At Lonely Tree we were told to concentrate at Vermelles which we reached at 6.35 a.m. Monday the 27th. Strength of the party: 3 officers 64 men

Casualties for 26th September
Officers: one killed, seven wounded, six missing
Other Ranks: 18 killed, 62 wounded, 329 missing    

Charles was killed in action on 26 September.