Private Edwin Charles Church

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.

Edwin Charles Church was born on 29^th July 1878 in Antrim Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland to photographer Edmund Thomas and Emma Louisa (nee Gould).

Edwin’s father Edmund was born about 1845 in Chelsea, London to Buckingham Palace servant, Edmund. His mother Emma was born about 1847 in Marylebone, London to bootmaker Charles. Edmund married Emma, on 10^th June 1866 at St John’s Church, Upper Holloway, London. At the time of their marriage Edmund was working as a photographer and lived at 6 Spencer Road. Emma lived at 16 Upper Brunswick Place. Edwin had two known sisters: Edith Maud born on 14^th August 1880 in Antrim Road, Belfast and Mabel born in the 2^nd quarter of 1882 in Belfast.

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 7 Archway Road, Albert Terrace, Islington, London. Edmund was a photo trade artist and Emma was at home. The household further comprised of their children: cycle maker Edwin, photo retoucher Edith and photo assistant artist Mabel.

Edwin married Florence Duckering on 4^th September 1909 in Islington.

They had two children: Nancie Florence born on 11^th October 1911 in Islington and Edwin Charles born on 13^th May 1916 in Wandsworth.

Florence was born in the 1^st quarter of 1879 in Brixton Road, Kennington, London to French Polisher Thomas, born about 1839 in Blyton, Lincolnshire and Margaret, born about 1846 in Littlehampton, Sussex. Florence was baptised on 1^st May 1887 at St Marks’ Church, Kennington. At the time of the baptism the family lived at 26 Lucas Road.

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 62 Archway Road, Upper Holloway. Edwin was working as a taxicab lamp man and Florence was at home. The accommodation had two rooms.

Edwin Church enlisted on 9^th August 1916 in Kingston-upon-Thames into the 1st/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, the Norfolk Regiment. He enlisted for duration of the war. Edwin was a Private. At the time of his enlistment he resided at 14 Belmont Road, Grafton Square, Clapham and was working as a petrol store keeper. Edwin had a mole on the left side of his shoulder blade.

As part of the British Expeditionary Force he embarked on 22^nd August 1917 from Folkestone to France. He disembarked on the same date in Boulogne, France. On 23^rd August, Edwin arrived at No 17 Infantry Base Depot in Calais. On 6^th September, he was transferred into the ‘A’ Company, 10th Battalion the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment). His regimental number was 25421. He joined the battalion in the field on 8^th September.

Edwin Charles Church was killed in an action on 30^th September 1917 in Belgium. His body was never found. He was previously reported wounded.

He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing in Belgium, on panels 82 to 85 and 162A.

He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.

Edwin’s wife, Florence Church received £2, 7s and 1d on 20^th March 1918 in Soldier’s Effects. On 25^th March 1918 she also received her husband’s personal effects including: a disc, a wallet, photos and cards. At this time she lived at 46 Grafton Square, Clapham. Florence Church was awarded a pension of 22/11 a week for herself and her two children, with effect from 15^th April 1918.

The 1918 Electoral Register reads that Florence Church lived at 9 Church Gardens in Dorking. She died in December 1918 in Dorking.

Edwin’s mother Emma received £2 on 6^th April 1920 in Soldier’s Effects. Edwin’s sister in law Mrs Annie D’arey received £2 on 7^th May 1920 in Soldier’s Effects. Mrs D’arey was looking after the one of Edwin’s two children. The other child was being brought up by Edwin’s family.

Born	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Lived	London
Son of	Edmund Thomas and Emma Louise (nee Gould) Church
Husband of	Florence Duckering
Regiment	A Company. 10th Battalion. The Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment
Number	25421
Date of Death	30th September 1917
Place of Death	Passchendaele
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Age	29
Memorial	Tyne Cot Memorial. Panels 82 to 85 and 162A.