Charles Edward Pollard

Charles Edward Pollard was born in 1864 at Cape Town, South Africa, the son of Henry and Ann Pollard. He attested in the Leicestershire Regiment in 1882 when he gave details of his family: parents Henry (name later deleted) and Ann Pollard and siblings George, Henry, Frederick, Mary Jane, Fanny, Julia, Elizabeth and Ada of 38 Fleet Street, Leicester. Charles transferred to the Army Reserve in 1889 and was discharged in 1894. In 1891 Charles (27), a railway luggage porter, was lodging at Qualey Place, Nottingham, in the household of Sarah Berridge, a widow, and her daughter Mary (32 b. Farnsfield Notts 1859), a tailoress. Also in the home on the night of the census were three visitors, Frederick Pollard (23 b. Leicester), his wife Ann (26 née Berridge m. 1887) and their son Frederick Walter (b. 1891) Charles married Mary Berridge in 1891 (O/N/D) and they had three children who died young: twins Florence Mary b. 1892 (A/M/J) d. 1893 and Francis Joseph d. 1892 and Elsie Eleanor b. 1894 d. 1897. In 1901 they were living at 23 Brussels Terrace, Meadows, Nottingham; Charles was now an asphalter (railway) and Mary a tailoress. Also in the household was Annie Pollard (36) a lace jennier whose son Frederick was a patient in Nottingham General Hospital. By 1911 Charles and Mary had moved to 46 Kirkby Street, Meadows, where they were living with their adopted daughter Elsie (9) and a 'nurse child', Herrick Cross (3). Also in the home on the night of the census were two boarders, Annie Pollard (46) and Walter Pollard (20). Charles and Mary later lived at 44 Spencer Street, Mansfield, where Charles died in 1917. The CWGC record gave his widow's address as 78 Kirkby Street, Meadows, Nottingham

Charles Edward Pollard was a regular soldier. joining the Leicestershire Regiment in 1882. After his discharge from the army he joined the Midland Railway and became a ganger and asphalter.

Pollard enlisted with 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment (361) on 5 May 1882 aged 19 years 5 months, occupation baker. He signed the attestation document with his mark. Charles had previously served in the Militia (3rd Bn Leicestershire Regiment). His army service included the Second Burmah War 1887-89: Home 4 May 1882-11 (-) 1883 (1y 131d), India 12 (-) 1883-5 December 1889 (6y 85d), Home 6 December 1889-3 May 1894 (4y 149d). He was discharged in 1894 at Newcastle having transferred to the Army Reserve in December 1889. He joined the Royal Defence Corps in May 1915 and trained at Worksop before he was sent to the north-east coast. He was discharged on 30 June 1916 being no longer physically fit for war service (rheumatism, myalgia, heart irregular and weak). He died at his home, 44 Spencer Street, Mansfield, on 21 June 1917 and was buried at Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery with full military honours (grave ref. A.4461).

CWGC: 'Husband of Mary Pollard, of 78, Kirkby St., Meadows, Nottingham.' WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: widow Mary Pollard. Mansfield & Sutton Reporter, 29 June 1917 (extract): ‘Military Funeral at Mansfield. The Late Private CE Pollard. The war has claimed another victim by the death of Private Charles Edward Pollard (no. 5795) of the 159th Protection Co. Royal Defence Corps., which took place on the 21st inst., at his home, 44 Spender-street, Mansfield. Private Pollard, who was in his 54th year, was an old campaigner, having joined the army at the age of 19 years, on May 4th 1882. He enlisted in the 1st Leicestershire Regiment, and after training in England, was drafted to India, in which country he served the whole of his active service … He held the Burma Medal and bar of 1887-1890. He was subsequently placed on the Reserve, being finally discharged in May, 1894, with the best of characters. On his return to civil life he began work for the Midland Railway Co. in the Permanent Way Department, ultimately rising to the position of ganger asphalter which position he held at the outbreak of the present war … enrolled in the 159th Protection Company on May 31st 1915 ... he was drafted to a point on the north-east coast. The rigour of the climate and exposure, however, soon began to tell, and after 13 months of duty his physical condition became such that he had to give in, and was discharged unfit for further service on June 30th, 1916. He was invalided home, and although every means was taken to restore him to health again he became gradually worse, and on the 21st inst. he passed away … He was laid to rest in the Mansfield Cemetery on Tuesday last with full military honours.’ The report continued with a description of the funeral; the cortege left his home headed by the band of the West Riding Regiment and with bearers and firing party from the York and Lancaster Regiment. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)