Charles Edward Catchpole

A Second Lieutenant with the 7th Battalion, Charles died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 21. 

Charles was born at Kessingland in 1895, a son of George and Elizabeth Catchpole. He was baptised at Saint Edmund’s Church, Kessingland, on 17 May 1896. In 1901 his family lived at Eddystone House, Church Road, Kessingland, and this was Charles’ home for the rest of his life. In 1911 Charles was a junior clerk working for a fish seller.

Charles volunteered and enlisted in the Army. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 14243, and was posted to the 8th Battalion. Charles was already a Sergeant when he arrived in France with the 8th Battalion on 25 July 1915.

Charles was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery whilst serving with the 8th Battalion. The 8th Battalion War Diary, for 21 September 1916, states ‘Military Medal awarded to Sergeant Catchpole – now at Cadet School Base.’ The award was published in the London Gazette on 21 October 1916, page 29794.

On 20 September 1916 Charles was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment and he was posted to the 7th Battalion. 

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

10 October 1916

Relieved 11th Middlesex in Bulls Runs, near Flers, four companies in front line.

12 October 1916

Attack to be made on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhoff Farm. Morning very quiet.
5 a.m. Battalion lying in shell holes in front ready.
10 a.m. Major Henty went forward to advance Battalion Headquarters in Grass Street to receive reports.
2 p.m. Zero. Attack started. German barrage very intense. Battalion proceeded in four waves, each company with a platoon front.
No definite report until 6 p.m. when Battalion was back in front line having failed to attain objective.
B and D Companies gained objective, but were driven out by superior numbers.
1st Essex on right gained objective but were unable to hold it, finally and they managed to keep part of it.
Battalion withdrew to reserve in Flers Trench. 

Colonel Murphy, in history of the Suffolk Regiment, felt that the attack failed because the enemy wire had only partially been destroyed and that the British barrage was ineffective.

All fifteen officers that went over the top became casualties: eleven killed and four wounded. Ninety two other ranks were killed and, in total, the Battalion had over 500 casualties.  

Charles was one of the officers killed in action that day. 

Charles' sister, Ethel Strowger, served with the V.A.D., and died in 1918.