© Radley College
Thank you to Molly Worsfold and Tim Dumas from St. Bartholomew Church in Leigh for allowing Dorking Museum to reproduce their research. Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for additional research.
Edwin Milward Charrington was born on 28th February 1891 in Paddington, London to retired Yorkshire Regiment Captain Julian and Helen (nee Gray). He was baptised on 25th March 1891 at St Marylebone All Saint’s church, Westminster. At the time of his baptism the family lived at 9 Stanhope Terrace, Paddington.
The family comprised of Harry, Helen and their children Evelyn Mary Beatrice, Mowbray Julian England and Edwin Milward. The family were looked after by a cook, an under housemaid, a housemaid, a nurse and a butler.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Edwin was a boarder and pupil at Wellington House at Westgate-on-Lea, Kent.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 72 Eaton Terrace, London. The family comprised of Harry, his wife Helen and their children Evelyn and Edwin, who was working as an insurance clerk. Helen stated that she had given birth to three children. The house had six rooms.
Edwin’s mother Helen died in the 1st quarter of 1915 in Steyning, Sussex.
After finishing at Wellington House, Edwin attended Radley College. After leaving Radley, he entered the office of the Union Society of Canton in London, with a view to going to China later. But after two years’ service he relinquished his position and on the outbreak of war in August 1914 he obtained a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Essex Regiment. (1916 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser)
He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 18th February 1915, being attached to the Suffolk Regiment. He disembarked on 28th February in France.
DEATH OF CAPT. E. M. CHARRINGTON
We regret to report that news has been received of the death in France of Capt. Edwin Milward Charrington, of the Essex Regiment, the second son of Capt. H. J. Charrington of Denshott, Leigh, late of the Yorkshire Regt, and grandson of the late Mrs Charrington of Burys Court, Leigh. Capt E. M. Charrington, who was killed on November 15th in his 25th year, was educated at Wellington House, Westgate-on-Sea, and Radley College. On leaving the latter, he entered the office of the Union Insurance Society of Canton in London, with the view of going out to China later. But after two years’ service he relinquished his position, and on the outbreak of war obtained a commission in the Essex Regiment. He left for the Front on February 14th, 1915, returning at the end of May, badly wounded and much disfigured in the face. After a few months’ leave, he rejoined his regiment at home, and on May 31st last again left for the front. His colonel writes “I had the greatest regard for him, and a high opinion of capabilities as an officer. He was beloved by all who knew him, and a most gallant officer and loyal friend.”
Edwin Charrington Death Notice © Surrey Mirror findmypast.co.uk
Edwin was badly wounded and much disfigured in the face at Bailleul in May 1915. (1916 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser)
“His left arm was thoroughly shattered by shrapnel in an explosion which also tore off his nose completely and inflicted severe damage to the rest of his head. Incredibly, due to the skill of surgeons, he recovered his health and confidence despite wearing an aluminium prosthetic ‘tin’ nose and other shocking disfigurements, including a ‘red, permanent deformity of the face’.” http://westhampals.blogspot.cz/
After a few months’ leave, he re-joined his regiment at Felixstowe, and on 31st May 1915 returned to France.
He took part in the operations on the Somme and was promoted to Captain on 21st September 1916.
LIEUT. E. M. CHARRINGTON
Lieutenant Edwin Milward Charrington, Essex Regiment, killed, was 25 years of age, and the younger son of Captain H. J. Charrington, formerly of the Yorkshire Regiment, of Eaton Terrace and Denshott, Leigh, Reigate. He received his commission in August 1914, and was for a time attached to the Suffolk Regiment, while he had his step in promotion in September, 1915.
Edwin Charrington Death Notice © Suffolk and Essex Free Press findmypast.co.uk
At the time of his death Edwin Milward was a Captain of the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, attached to the 13th Battalion, the Essex Regiment.
CHARRINGTON, EDWIN MILWARD, Capt, 3rd (Reserve) Battn, The Essex Regt,yr. s of Capt. Harry Julian Charrington, of Eaton Terrace, London S. W. and Denshott, Leigh, Reigate, late Yorkshire Regt. by his wife, Helen, dau of the late William Gray of Grayscourt, York; b. London 28 Feb 1891 : educ. Wellington House, Westgate-on-Sea and Radley College; entered the office of the Union Insurance Company of Canton, intending to go out to China; but on the outbreak of war obtained a commission; was promoted Capt. 21 Sept. 1916; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 18 Feb 1915, being attached to the Suffolk Regt; was wounded at Bailleul in May 1915; rejoined his regiment at Felixstowe on recovery, and afterwards returned to France; took part in operations on the Somme, and was killed in action while leading his company at Beaumont Hamel 13 Nov 1916. His Colonel wrote : “I had the greatest regard for him, and a high opinion of capabilities as an officer. He was beloved by all who knew him, and a most gallant officer and loyal friend.”
Edwin Charrington Du Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour © findmypast.co.uk
Captain Charrington was killed in action on 13th November 1916 in France while leading his company at Beaumont Hamel.
Roll of Honour © CWGC.org
© CWGC.org
Edwin Charrington is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France on Pier and Face 10 D.
Edwin of 60 Eaton Terrace, Westminster, left to his father Harry £322, 6s and 4d in Probate.
Charrington Family History
Edwin’s father Harry was born about 1849 in Chigwell, Essex to Edward, born about 1812 in Stepney, Middlesex and Georgiana Tryce Mary Charrington, born about 1821 in Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. Harry was baptised on the 2nd of August 1849 in Chigwell.
Edwin’s mother Helen was born in the 4th quarter of 1851 in Yorkshire to attorney and land owner William, born about 1807 in York and Margaret, born about 1810 in Scotland. Helen was baptised on 4th December 1851 in York, Yorkshire.
Harry and Helen married in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in the Registration District of St George Hanover Square, London. At the time of their marriage Harry lived in Leigh, Surrey and Helen in St Gabriel’s, Pimlico, Middlesex.
Edwin had two siblings: Evelyn Mary Beatrice born in the 1st quarter of 1885 and Mowbray Julian England born in the 1st quarter of 1887, both in South Kensington, London.
In 1916 Edwin’s father, Harry was living at Eaton Terrace and Denshott, Leigh.
The 1920 Surrey, England, Electoral Register reads that Harry was still at Denshott Cottages, Leigh, and had moved to 7 St Martin’s Place, Trafalgar Square, London.
Harry died on 21st July 1930 at The Salem Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. He left to his son, Mowbray Julian England Charrington, £5048, 3s and 2d in Probate.
Photograph courtesy of Leigh Parish Council
There is a special memorial for him near the font in Leigh Church.
| Born | Paddington, London | |
| Son of | Harry Julian and Helen Charrington of Denshott, Leigh | |
| Regiment | 3rd Battalion attached 13th Battalion. Essex Regiment | |
| Date of Death | 13th November 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Beaumont Hamel, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 25 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France |
