Charles Henry Frank Underwood

A Corporal with Derby Depot, Charles died on 16th of January 1945 at the age of 38.

Charles was born at Bramdean, Hampshire, on 9 October 1906, a son of Edward and Margret Underwood. He was baptised at Bramdean Parish Church on 14 October 1906 and his family live at Bramdean Common. In 1911 his family lived at West Meon, near Petersfield, and by 1921 they were living at Whitewood Cottages, Herriard, and Charles worked as a garden boy at Herriard Park. 

Charles married Annie Elizabeth Scarff in 1926, this was registered in the Alton district. Annie was born at Lowestoft.

In 1939 Charles and Annie were living at Cromwell Road, Caterham, Surrey, and Charles worked a a general labourer. By 1945 they were living at 8 Sparham's Buildings, Saint Peter's Street. 

Charles died by drowning in a septic water tank at the Derby Depot of the Pioneer Corps. Charles had been noted a being missing during the night of 15 January. His colleagues had heard feint calls for help, but dismissed them as 'someone fooling around'. An inquest into his death returned a verdict of death by misadventure. (See Nottingham Journal 7 March 1945 page 4).