R. Charman
Service no. L/21002
Driver, Royal Field Artillery, “B” Bty. 156th Bde.
Died of wounds age 17 on 23 July 1916
Enlisted at Camberwell, lived in Brixton
Son of Henry and Mary Charman, of Brixton, London.
Remembered at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbé, Somme, France
Information from the South London Press
The South London Press reported Charman’s death on 25 August 1916:
Killed in action was the young son – he was only 17 – of Mr. and Mrs. Charman, Ingleborough Street, Brixton. He was one of six brothers serving with the colours, all descendants of a fighting race. In a letter to his mother, his company officer says: ‘Your son died nobly, doing his duty and as his section commander I can testify to the fine young soldier whom we mourn. He was, for his age, quite exceptional in his work, and beyond praise in the fearless way in which he carried out his dangerous and arduous duties. In him we have lost one who is irreplaceable and who, by his cheerfulness and courage endeared himself to us all.’
Information from the 1911 census
In 1911 Richard (or Dick) Charman’s family lived in 4 rooms at 13 Ingleborough Street, London SW9 (between Robsart Street and Lorn Road). Henry Charman, 56, a general labourer, was born in “Lambeth Parish” (St Mary’s Parish, north Lambeth). Mary Charman, 54, was born in Clapham. They had had 15 children, of whom 12 were still living in 1911. Those listed on the census for this address were
Henry Charman, 31, a carrier’s carman, born in Clapham
John Charman, 28, a painter’s labourer, born in Brixton
William Charman, 21, a painter’s labourer, born in Brixton
Daisy Charman, 13, born in Brixton
Lilly Charman 13, born in Brixton
Dick Charman, 11, born in Brixton