Charles Henry Hibbert

Charles Henry Hibbert was born in 1893 he was the son of Joseph a frame work knitter and Mary Ann Hibbert née Burton of 54 Princes Street, Mansfield. Joseph and Mary Ann Burton were both born in 1860 at Sutton in Ashfield, they were married in 1878 their marriage was recorded in the Mansfield registration district, they went on to have 13 children, sadly 6 of whom died in infancy or early childhood. In 1911 the family were living at Princess Street, Mansfield, Joseph 51 yrs is a farm work knitter he is living with his wife Mary Ann 51 yrs and 5 of their children including Charles 18 yrs a coal miner pony driver.

Tram Driver

Private Charles Henry Hibbert enlisted on 7th September 1914 at Mansfield. He went to France, 2nd March 1915 and was killed in action, 24th April 1915, aged 22, by German shellfire whilst serving in the line at Kemmel, Belgium. He is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Mansfield Chronicle advertiser: 06/05/1915: Photograph. Charles worked on the trams and his older brother, Marshall was also serving. An article published on 18th May 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post reads :- “DEATH OF PRIVATE C. H. HIBBERT. “The sad news has come to hand during the week (though unofficial) of the death by the explosion of a bomb, of Private Charles Hy. Hibbert, of the 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He was 22 last January, and before enlisting he worked at the Mansfield Tramway Co.'s shed. He left Mansfield with the big batch who went from Bleak Hills, Hermitage and the Tramway Co. The training he went through took place at Newark, Harpenden, Baintree [sic] and Luton, and his first Sunday in the trenches was Palm Sunday. “Private Hibbert's parents, who live in Princes-street, have received the following letter from an officer concerning their son: – “I am writing to inform you with the deepest regret that your son was killed by the explosion of a large German bomb, and to offer you my most sincere sympathy on your very great loss. We shall miss him, as he always did his duty, and you will have some consolation in knowing that he died a soldier's death.” Last week Mr. and Mrs. Hibbert received a postcard from their son saying he was well, and in a previous letter he expressed the opinion that the war would soon be over, and the hope that he would be able to return home. Another son, who enlisted at the same time was in the same battalion, and both brothers were the greatest chums.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918