Charles Henry Moakes

Robert was the son of William and Florence Moakes née Ashley. His father William was born in Tibshelf, Derbyshire, (also given as Huthwaite on some records) on 31 May 1867 (J/A/S Mansfield), the son of Robert and Ruth Moakes; he was baptised Tibshelf parish church on 29 December 1867. In 1881 the family was living in Huthwaite, William (15) was a pit boy. His mother Florence Ashley was born in Huthwaite in about 1871. William and Florence were married at Sutton in Ashfield St Mary Magdalene on 15 December 1890 (O/N/D Mansfield) and had nine children, four of whom died in infancy or childhood. All the children were born in Huthwaite: Robert William birth registered 1891 (J/F/M Mansfield); Ruth Florence Mary (also k/a Florrie) b. 24 October 1892; Dudless (sic, sometime called Douglas) b. 1895; Charles Henry b. 1897; twins Stephen and George b. 1899 (J/A/S Mansfield) d. 1899 (J/A/S); Eliza b. 6 July 1900; Stephen Henry b. 1902 O/N/D Mansfield) d. 1902 (O/N/D) and Henry birth registered 1904 (J/F/M Mansfield) d. 1909 (O/N/D). In 1891 William, a coal miner, and Florence were living on Station Road, Huthwaite, with their son Robert (under 1 year). Also in the household was Florence's sister Fanny (17). They were still living on Station Road in 1901. They had had seven children of whom five survived: Robert, Ruth F (8), Dudless (6), Charles (4) and Eliza (under 1 year). Also in the household was Florence's brother, Joshua Ashley (19) a coal miner loader. William and Florence had sons in 1902 and 1904 who died in infancy. Florence died in 1907 (O/N/D Mansfield) aged about 36. By 1911 William and his five surviving children were living at 30 Newcastle Street, Huthwaite. Robert was a coal miner, Florry (no occupation, presumably keeping house for the family), Dudless and Charles who were both coal miners, and Eliza. The family home was still at 30 Newcastle Street when Robert was killed in 1915. However, the later CWGC records for both Robert and Charles give William's address as 124 Sutton Road, Huthwaite. Their brother Dudless also served. William, a retired coal miner, was still living in Sutton in Ashfield in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. He died in 1940 (A/M/J Mansfield). His brother Robert William served in the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters and was killed on 15 June 1915. Of Charles' surviving siblings: Ruth Florence Mary married Percy Partlow in 1912 (J/F/M Mansfield). They had three children, Henry b. 1912 (registered Mansfield), Florence b. 30 August 1915 (registered Hemsworth) and Percy b. 9 December 1920 (registered 1921 J/F/M Hemsworth). In 1939 they were living on Ashbourne Road, Derby. Percy (b. 13 August 1890) was a shopkeeper (fish and chips) and his wife a shop assistant. Also in the household were their two children, Florence a hosiery machinist and Percy a shop assistant (fish and chips) together with Henry's wife Gwendoline (b. 8 August 1914, m. 1938 J/F/M Derby) who was also a shop assistant. Ruth died on 31 October 1971 and her husband in 1984. Dudlass served in the Sherwood Foresters (12989 Private, Douglas Moakes). He enlisted on the outbreak of war and served abroad from 2 August 1915 first in Gallipoli and later France. He was discharged from the army on 4 July 1919. He probably died in 1957 (J/F/M Mansfield). Eliza married Tom Heathcote (b. 9 December 1895) at St Mary the Virgin, South Elmsall, Yorkshire, on 25 December 1919. Eliza (19) was then living at 17 Kirton Street, South Elmsall, and her husband, a coal miner, at 16 Victoria Street. They had two daughters, Florence J. b. 1920 (Hemsworth) and Margaret b. 28 December 1928 (1929 J/F/M Hemsworth). In 1939 they were living in Hemsworth, Yorkshire, with their daughter Margaret. Eliza died in 1977 (J/F/M Pontefract).

He was a miner.

Residence Huthwaite, enlisted Suttoni in Ashfield

Charles enlisted in Sutton in Ashfield He was killed on 16 June 1917 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave ref. XIV.F.19).

His brother Robert William served in the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (956 Private) and was killed on 15 June 1915. He was buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Notts Free Press, 6th July 1917: 'LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED - DRIVER C. H. MOAKES' 'Official intimation has been received of the death from wounds of driver Charles Henry Moakes, 129556, D Battery, R.F.A., the youngest son of Mr. Wm. Moakes, of Newcastle Street, Huthwaite, who has now lost two sons in the war. Driver Moakes was only 20 last March, and had been in France just a year. Previous to his joining the army he was employed at New Hucknall Colliery. A letter from the chaplain states that he died at 5.30 a.m. on June 16th. of wounds in the back. He adds “ I was with him several times, and commended his soul to God. He was too weak to speak, and suffered little owing to the great shock. His body lies in the military cemetery at Remy. Everything was done for him. God bless you and give strength in this time of your sorrow. Yours in deep sympathy”. 'Driver Moakes’ eldest brother, Private R. Moakes, was killed exactly two years before his brother, his death being on June 15th. 1915. The other son, Private D. Moakes, has not written home for some months, and the last letter sent out to him has been returned. He enlisted just after the war broke out, and was invalided from Gallipoli with fever and a wound. He afterwards was sent to France, where he again broke down with fever and had a long spell in an English hospital, and subsequently returned to France about 18 months ago. 'The official notification of Driver Moakes’ death is under date June 23rd.' Mansfield Reporter, 27 July 1917 (extract): ‘Huthwaite. Memorial Service. At the Parish Church, on Sunday morning, a memorial service was conducted by the Rev. FA Beswick, to Lance-Corporal B Bailey and Privates JW Taylor, A Tomlinson, CO Buxton, CH Moakes and J Pendleton, all Huthwaite men who have laid down their lives in the war. There was a large congregation, and there were wreaths on the roll of honour, and on the lectern and pulpit.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father William was his sole legatee.