Monday 19 May 2014

Charles William Henry Speight 1893-1918

Snip of Charles and Martha's Marriage certificate
showing his occupation as Glasshand (image from Ancestry)
Born:
Q1 1893 Doncaster Yorkshire
Baptised Mexborough Yorkshire 2 April 1893

Son of:
Zachariah Speight b. Q3 1865 Swinton Yorkshire d. Q2 1917 Sheffield, Yorkshire West Riding
1911: Bottle Maker, 25 Vernon Street, Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding
married Q1 1891 in the Doncaster area
Eliza Beech b. Q3 1869 Attercliffe Yorkshire West Riding d. Q3 1909 Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding

Position in family: The 2nd eldest of 6 children
1.    JANE E SPEIGHT was born about 1891 in Mexborough, Yorkshire.
2.    CHARLES WILLIAM HENRY SPEIGHT was born in Jan 1893 in Mexbro, Yorkshire. WW1 KILLED
3.    MATTHIAS SPEIGHT was born about Aug 1897 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. WW1 SERVICE
4.    MIRIAN SPEIGHT was born about 1900 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
5.    DORIS SPEIGHT was born about 1902 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
6.    JOHN SPEIGHT was born in Jan 1904 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Home address, age and occupation:
1901: 25 Vernon Street, Barnsley age 8
1911: 25 Vernon Street, Barnsley age 18 Gatherer, for Glass Manufacturer

1914: 28 James Street, Barnsley age 21 Glasshand (at marriage)
1915: 108 Honeywell  Street Barnsley (address given by his brother when naming him next of Kin)

Marriage: 

He was married to Martha Blewitt, daughter of John Blewitt and Nancy Blewitt on 26 Dec 1914 in Barnsley, St Mary, Yorkshire. She was born about 1894 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Children:
1.    JOHN M SPEIGHT was born in Mar 1916 in Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding. He died in Sep 1930 in Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding.
2.    ADA SPEIGHT was born in Mar 1918 in Barnsley, Yorkshire West Riding.
 

Military Service:
Regiment and Battalion:    West Riding Regiment then 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment
Service number and rank:  55516 Pte. then  57982 Pte.
Awards: Victory and British War Medals

Death:     He died on 04 Nov 1918 aged 25.
Buried at: Ors Communal Cemetery
Grave Reference: C 18

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Zackeriah and E. Speight; husband of Martha Speight, of 5, Vernon St., Barnsley.
 

Remembered:
Barnsley, Redfearn Brothers Glassworks & Aldham Works  
Barnsley, Redfearn Bros Ltd Roll of Honour 

Notes:
This soldier's story has been put together by Peter West, who found the Redfearn Bros Roll of Honour mentioned above and sent us in some photos.  He also sent us Matthias Speight's story; Matthias was Charles' brother.


He adds that Charles Speight was:
Almost certainly killed during the crossing of the Sambre and Oise Canal.  24 other Manchesters are buried in the cemetery; including 2nd/Lt James Kirk who won a VC that day.

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