Topic: Charles Francis Horwell
Topic type:
Charles Francis Horwell (Service no. 40812) was a First World War soldier with links to Hornby
Charles was born 1 August 1895 at Papanui, the eldest son of Charles and Evelyn Horwell. He was educated at Riccarton school and later at the Christchurch Technical College.
At the time of enlisting he was working as a clerk for the Canterbury By-products Company. He had previous military training serving with the territorials. He was aged 21 and was 5 ft 8 in tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.
Charles enlisted on 27 September 1916 although he did not begin his service until 15 November. He was assigned to the 24th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company. He was appointed Lance corporal before embarking with his unit on board the Pakeha on 26 April 1917. He arrived in Devonport 28 July 1917 and marched into Sling camp the same day, where as usual he reverted to the rank of Private.
He left for France and the fighting on 23 September 1917 and joining the 3rd Battalion. He later transferred to the 22nd Corps at Abeele for a few weeks before transferring back to the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment on 22 February 1918.
He died of wounds received in action on 26 August 1918 near Bapaume and seems to have been buried first in Haplincourt before being finally buried in the Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.
He is remembered on the Hornby War Memorial.
Related resources
- Online cenotaph record for Charles Horwell. Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Charles Horwell's military personnel file. Archives New Zealand (Archway)
References
- For King and Empire. Sun, Volume V, Issue 1449, 4 October 1918, Page 3
