Charles Rodwell

A Private with 6th Bn. Charles died on 3rd of May 1917 at the age of 40. 

Charles was born at Mendham, Suffolk, in 1876, a son of Charles and Elizabeth Rodwell. In 1881 his family lived at Oulton Road, Oulton, and by 1891 at Gordon Terrace, Oulton Broad, and Charles worked as a bricklayer's boy. In 1901 they lived at Oulton Street and by 1911 Charles' mother had died and his father lived at 15 Marsh Road, Oulton Broad. 

On 25 December 1896 Charles married Emma Louisa Aldred at Saint Peter's Church, Carlton Colville. Charles was a labourer and they both lived at Carlton Colville. In 1901 their home was at Waveney Cottages, Beccles Road, and Charles worked as a labourer, and by 1911 they were living at 3 Waveney Cottages, Beccles Road, Oulton Broad, and Charles worked as a maltster's labourer. 

Charles enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft and initially served with the 14th (Reserve) Battalion Essex Regiment, service number 31047. Charles was transferred to The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and joined the 6th Battalion in France. 

On 25 April 1917 the 6th Battalion moved from billets to Arras. On 30 April they moved into front line trenches. A general attack was ordered for 3 May 1917. The Battalion went over the top at 3.00 a.m. and by duck it was ascertained that they had suffered severe casualties amounting to 375 men. Charles was killed in the attack.  

His brothers James and John also died.