Little is known about Charles Ware, and sadly there is no record of a medal card. His military documents were destroyed in the London blitz.

      The 1891 census tells us that Charles was the stepson of William Davey, a 36 year old labourer living with his wife Jane, aged 40. They had 3 children of their own, Thomas aged 7, William 5, and Sydney 3. The family included three stepchildren, William Ware (an invalid on parish relief), Annie aged 10 and Charles, 7. The family lived at St.Stephen Cotts, Gidley Street. 20 years later, in 1911, Charles was himself married, and was working as a labourer and living at West Heath private house with Mary his wife and two small children, William Charles aged 4 and Reginald Ford aged 2.

      It is possible that aged 30 and with two l children to care for, Charles would have waited for conscription before enlisting, but of course only family memory could help us with more detail. Attached is the outline history of the Devonshire regiment during the war. /p>

16 July 2011