| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Charlie was born on 31 Jul 1894 in Beverley to shoeing smith David Collinson and Rhoda (nee Botham). At the time of his baptism at St Mary’s, the family were living in Ladygate, but David took over the licence of the Globe Inn in Ladygate in 1897.
In 1905 Charlie’s mother, Rhoda, died. The 1911 Census shows that daughters Annie, Mary and Rhoda were helping their father with the business and Charlie at age 16 and elder brother David were draper’s assistants. Charlie served his apprenticeship with Mr Mackrill in Beverley but prior to enlisting with the Hull Commercials, Charlie was working for the Hull company of Marris, Willows and Smith, silk merchants and drapers.
Charlie’s service with 10th East Yorkshire Regiment began with a tour of duty along the Suez Canal and he was awarded the 1914-15 Star having arrived in Egypt on 22 Dec 1915. Four months later the battalion was on the Western Front and saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and Oppy Wood in 1917. Charlie was awarded the DCM in spring 1918 when he prevented his injured platoon commander and unit from being captured by finding a way back through the enemy line. In June 1918 Charlie was sent to Cadet School and was awarded his commission in Mar 1919 although he must have been demobilized shortly afterwards as he had returned to work at Marris, Willows and Smith before his death.
According to the newspaper reports in the Beverley Guardian and Hull Daily Mail Charlie had only been ill for a few days. He died at the home of Mr and Mrs Northgraves, Prospect Farm, Withernwick on Sunday 13 Apr 1919 from pneumonia following influenza. He was buried with full military honours at St Mary’s Cemetery, Beverley where the band of the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment led the procession along New Walk, a firing party from the Depot fired three volleys over the grave and buglers sounded the last post.
Charlie is remembered on the East Yorkshire Memorial in Beverley Minster, Beverley Hengate War Memorial and St Mary’s Boys School Memorial Tablet. His name can also be found on the Memorial plaque in St Albans Church, Withernwick and on the Withernwick War Memorial.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |