15785 Private Charles Harrington Thurlow
9th(Service)Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
Born in Appledore Devon in 1889.
His parents were Edward James Robert Thurlow
(1859-1908) and Eliza Gibson(1861-1912). They were married in 1879.
Charles had 2 brothers; Francis Carelton(1887-1918) and Albert Ernest(05/10/1896-1984).
He also had 3 sisters; Amy(1890-1955),
Florence May(18/10/1891-22/07/1973) and Phoebe(21/03/1900-1945).
In the 1891 census, the family were living at Braunton Cottage Braunton, Devon. Edward was a waiter in an inn.
By the time of the 1901 census, the family had moved to
11 Weelem Terrace,East Pilton,Barnstaple, Devon. Edward was now employed as a cellar labourer in a wine store.
In 1909 Charles married Mary Sanders(1891-1967) and they had 3 children; Francis Charles(1910-1993),
Irene Ellen(1912-2008) and Beatrice May(1914-1984).
He enlisted in Barnstaple and his disembarkation into France was on 17/08/1915.
He was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star,
the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His widow Mary was awarded a pension of 20/6 per week starting from 22/01/1917.
Mary remarried in 1920 to David James Pile(1896-1993).
North Devon Journal – Thursday 13 July 1916
“In a letter to his wife, Mrs Nott, of Aze’s Lane, Barnstaple,Pte. Nott mentions that he was standing by the side of his chum
Pte. Charley Thurlow(Devons),of Zion’s Place, Barnstaple, when a shell burst by them and that he has since heard nothing of Pte.Thurlow. Pte. Thurlow whose wife resides at Zion’s Place, has been in France for twelve months. Prior to enlisting, he was engaged in a local slaughterhouse.”
North Devon Journal - Thursday 27 July 1916
“Thurlow – July 1 killed in action in France, Pte. C Thurlow of Belle Meadow, Barnstaple, aged 29.”
“Mrs Thurlow of (17)Belle Meadow, Barnstaple, was on Thursday officially acquainted of her husband’s death, which (as was previously unofficially reported ) took place on July 1st. Pte. C. Thurlow, who was 29 years of age, enlisted in the early days of the war ,prior to which he was a slaughter man. Much sympathy will be extended to the bereaved widow, who has three young children.”