Charles Edward Cracknell

A Private with 1st Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Charles died on 25th of August 1918, at the age of 20 years. 

Charles was born at Lound on 29 March 1897, a son of George and Louisa Cracknell. He was baptised at Saint Bartholomew's Church, Corton, on 2 May 1897. In 1901 his family lived at 12 Back Lane, Lound, and, by 1911, at Fern House, Back Lane, Lound, and Charles was a farm labourer. Later his parents lived at The Corner, Lound, Lowestoft.

Charles enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Great Yarmouth on 2 November 1915. he attended the Recruit Depot at Deal from 2 November 1915 to 25 May 1916 when he joined B Company, Plymouth Division, in the 3rd Royal Marine Battalion. On 16 April 1918 he was drafted to the 1st Royal Marine Battalion, in France, and joined 5 Platoon of B Company. 

On 25 August 1918 the 1st Battalion were at Loupart Wood and began an attack with the ultimate objective of capturing the eastern edge of the village of La Barque. This final objective was gained by 6.30 a.m. During the operation 150 prisoners were taken and two trench mortars, eight machine guns and much material captured. Numerous counter attacks were made during the day. Charles sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was admitted to 14 Field Ambulance where he died from his wounds that same day. He was buried at an isolated grave at Achiet le Petit, four and a half miles north-west of Bapaume, France. Later he was reburied at Gommecourt No 2 Cemetery, Hebuterne, France.  

During August 1918 the battalion’s casualties were:
Officers: three killed, twelve wounded
Other ranks: 46 killed, 7 died of wounds, 260 wounded, 31 missing

Charles' brother Percival died in 1915 whilst serving with the Royal Field Artillery.