Charles Henry Hibbert

Parents: Joseph and Mary Ann Hibbert of 54 Princes Street, Mansfield.

Tram Driver

Enlisted on 07/09/1914 aged 21 years and 8 months. In France from 02/03/1915.

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