| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Charles Arthur Steel was born in Beverley in Jan 1897, the son of Branton Steel, a Shipwright, and Sarah Ann. On the 6 May 1911, aged 14, he became apprenticed to William Wilson Campey and Charles Dawson Campey, trading as Campey Brothers, Painters and Decorators, for a term of seven years; his apprenticeship was interrupted by the outbreak of the war.
Charles served with the 5th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, which became part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The 5th Yorkshire Battalion was formed of men from the southern part of Yorkshire and were generally known as Beverley “Terriers”. The 50th Division took part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelettes which started on 15 Sep 1916, and the Battalion engaged in active operations from the 15th to the 18th sustaining heavy casualties. Charles was wounded in his left hand at this time and this was reported in the Beverley Guardian 30 Sep 1916.
He returned to his trade and in 1923 gave his occupation as painter when he married Emma Laura English, one of six daughters of Robert English, joiner and wheelwright, and his wife Annie. In 1939 Charles and Emma were living in Bridlington, andhe was working as a painter and decorator. Their home address was in East Lane, Bridlington when Charles died on 13 Sep 1949, in Beverley Westwood Hospital, at the age of 52. He was survived by his wife Emma who died in Mar 1969.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |