Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for this research.
Charles Frederick Little was born in the 1st quarter of 1885 in Dorking, to Robert and Jane. He was baptised on 8th April 1885 at St Martin’s in Dorking. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Church Gardens in Dorking.
Charles’ father Robert was born in the 4th quarter of 1857 in Wigan, Lancashire. Robert worked as a groom. While living in Dorking, Robert met Jane Worsfold, born in the 4th quarter of 1859 in Dorking district. The couple married on 24th July 1882 at St Margarets in Ockley. At the time of the marriage Robert still lived at Dorking and Jane at Ockley. Robert was working as a coachman.
At the time of the 1891 Census the couple lived at Dene Street Gardens, Dorking together with 6 year old Charles and his 3 siblings. Charles’ father was working as an ostler. By 1893 the family moved to Wigan in Lancashire as Charles’ sister Eliza was born there about 1893.
At the time of the 1901 census, the family lived at 9 Appleton Street, in Wigan, Lancashire. Robert was working as a general stableman, Jane was at home, sons Robert and Charles were working as cotton mill twist room hands, 13 year old daughter Elizabeth as a cotton sealer. There were also four younger sisters.
Charles married Margaret Ann Ascroft on 18th May 1907 at St Thomas Church in Wigan. At the time of the marriage Charles was still living at 9 Appleton Street, in Wigan and was working as a collier. Margaret lived at 20 York Street East in Wigan. Margaret was the daughter of collier Charles and Ellen. Margaret was born in the 2nd quarter of 1883 in Wigan.
Charles and Margaret had two children. Ellen who was born on 19th December 1908 and Joseph born in the 3rd quarter of 1910, both in Wigan. The boy died shortly after in the 3rd quarter of 1911.
At the time of the 1911 Census the family lived at 2 Appleton Street, Wigan. Charles worked as a coal miner and Margaret was looking after two year old Ellen and baby Joseph. The accommodation had four rooms.
He enlisted on 2nd October 1914 at Hindley, Lancashire. On 3rd October 1914, he was posted to the 8th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was a private with the regimental number 15508. At the time of enlistment, he weighed 116lbs, was 5ft 5inches tall and had 3 vaccination marks on his left arm. His stated religion was Church of England. Charles had a sallow complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair.
While in training camps at Boscombe and Aldershot, Charles was a very unruly soldier. From 22nd November 1914 to 21st of September 1915, he repeatedly received punishments for misbehaviour. He was frequently absent from parades, absent off pass, absent off nigh operations, absent from the Company Orderly room, threatening an NCO or being drunk in his billet or returning to it. He also failed on one occasion to answer his name as a defaulter. Charles was usually punished by Field Punishment No 2: being fined, given several days of forfeit pay or confined to barracks.
Charles disembarked in France on the 25th of September 1915. Only 4 days before, Charles Frederick was awarded 15 days forfeiture for being absent.
He died on 10th January 1916 in Ploegsteert Wood near Messiness in Belgium. At 4.25pm a billet in Ploegsteert was shelled, injuring two and killing only Pte Little.
His wife Margaret received Soldiers Effects of £1, 19s, 1d on 2nd of May and £5, 10s on 26th August 1919. She also received his personal property such as photographs and pension: 15s a week with effect from the 31st of July 1916.
At the time of Charles’ death, Margaret was living at 130 Great George Street in Wigan and later at 33 Arundel in Newtown, Lancashire.
Roll of Honour © CWGC
Charles Frederick Little is buried at London Rifle Cemetery in Ploegsteert, Belgium. His grave reference is II.A.24.
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals and 1914-1915 Star.
Altogether Charles; served 1 year and 23 days from 2nd September 1914 to 24th September 1915 at home, and 108 days from 25th September 1915 to 10th January 1916 in France and Flanders.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Wigan, Lancashire | |
| Son of | Robert and Jane (nee Worsfold) Little | |
| Husband of | Margaret Ann Ascroft | |
| Father of | Ellen/Nellie and Joseph Little | |
| Enlisted | Hindley, Lancashire | |
| Regiment | 8th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment | |
| Number | 15508 | |
| Date of Death | 10th January 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Ploegsteert Wood near Messiness, Belgium | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 31 | |
| Cemetery | London Rifle Cemetery in Ploegsteert, Belgium |
