Charles Frederick Mantripp

A Private with 129 Coy., Charles died on 27th of October 1917 at the age of 39. 

Charles was born at Lowestoft in 1878, a son of Edmund and Elizabeth Mantripp. Note that in some records his first name is given as Ramsey, or Ramey, and in others as Raymond. In 1881 his family lived at 22 North Raglan Street, Lowestoft. By 1891 they were living at 23 Jacob's Street. In 1911 they lived at 25 Cathcart Street, Lowestoft, and Charles worked for the Great Eastern Railway Company as a painter plumber. 

Charles worked with the Great Eastern Railway Company for 20 years and was based at the Lowestoft Harbour Yard. 

Charles served with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment and, on 4 February 1901, volunteered, at Norwich, to serve for one year in the Army. He joined the Norfolk Regiment, number 6814, and served with the 2nd Volunteer Company. Charles served in South Africa from 16 March 1901 to 27 May 1902. He was discharged on 28 May 1902. Charles was awarded both the Queen's South Africa and the King's South Africa Medals. 

During the First World War Charles served with the Norfolk Regiment, number 10470. He was transferred to The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), served number 44963, and posted to France. He joined the 21st Infantry Labour Company, which was formed from men of The Queen's, and given service number 77049. During 1917 the 21st Infantry Labour Company became 129 Company Labour Corps.

We do not know when, or how, Charles was wounded, but, based on where he is buried, he died of his wounds at a Casualty Clearing Station at Mendinghem, Belgium.    

His brother Ramsey served with the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment and died of wounds in 1915.