Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Charles William Mercer was born on 21st June 1884 in Dorking, Surrey to carpenter Thomas and Eliza (nee King). He was baptised on 3rd August 1884 at St Paul’s Church in Dorking. At this time the family lived at 7 Hampstead Road in Dorking.
His father Thomas, was born in the 3rd quarter of 1842 in Dorking to sawer and carpenter William (1817-1897), and Mary (nee Taylor) (1824-1902)). Mary Taylor was the daughter of carpenter Charles and Phillis. Thomas was baptised on 11th December 1842 at St Mary’s Church in Holmwood. His mother Eliza was born in the 3rd quarter of 1854 in Dorking to labourer Frederick (1829-1902) and Ann (nee Skilton (1831-1912)). Eliza was baptised on 13th August 1854 at St Mary’s Church in Holmwood. At the time of the 1871 Census, Eliza was a servant to a watercolour artist and landscaper in Holmwood. Thomas and Eliza married on 11th March 1876 at St Mary’s Church in Holmwood. At the time of the marriage, the couple lived in Holmwood and Thomas was working as a carpenter.
Charles had five siblings: Eliza Mary Anne born in the 3rd quarter of 1879; Louisa Alice born on 19th July 1882; Albert John Willie born in the 4th quarter of 1888 and the twins Emily Ellen and Lilian Fanny born on 11th December 1892, all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived in Hampstead Road in Dorking. Thomas was working as a carpenter and Eliza was looking after their daughter Eliza Mary Anne.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family moved to 12 Hampstead Road in Dorking. Thomas was still working as a carpenter and Eliza was looking after their children Eliza, Anne, Louisa, Charles and Albert.
Thomas Mercer died in 1899 and he was buried on 3rd December 1899 at in the Dorking Cemetery.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Eliza was living with her children: grocer’s boy Charles and scholars Albert, Emily and Lilian at 20 Hampstead Road. In the household also lived three lodgers: house painter Mr. Smith, carriage painter Mr. Collins and photographer Mr. Law.
At the time of the 1911, the family lived at 6 Harrowgate Gardens in Dorking. Eliza was at home and her son Charles was working as a gardener. The accommodation had four rooms.
Charles enlisted in Dorking. He became a private of the Royal Fusiliers with a regimental number G26161. Later he was transferred into the 12th Battalion the Cornwall’s Light Infantry. His new regimental number was 26114.
Charles died on 10th May 1916 at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Netley, Hampshire. He was buried on 14th May 1916 in Dorking Cemetery. His grave reference is 3.8523. The headstone bears inscription “Until the Day Break” commissioned by his mother, Eliza.
Eliza received £1, 10s, 7d on 10th July 1916; 7s, 8d on 19th June 1917; and £3 on 29th October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects. His sisters Eliza and Louisa received 7s, 8d on 10th July 1916 in Soldier’s Effects.
His brother Albert John Willie Mercer died on 15th of April 1918 in an action in France. He is commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial Cemetery in Belgium.
Eliza Mercer died in 1933 in Dorking, Surrey.
Photograph courtesy of Lois Leyland
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Eliza and the late Thomas Mercer | |
| Regiment | 12th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry | |
| Number | 26144 | |
| Former Regiment | Royal Fusiliers | |
| Number | G/26161 | |
| Date of Death | 10th May 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Netley Military Hospital, Netley, Hampshire | |
| Age | 31 | |
| Cemetery | Dorking Cemetery, Dorking |
