9/41411 Rifleman Charles William Lake
9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
7th June 1917
Born in King's Lynn,Norfolk in 1897.
His parents were George Walter Lake (1868-1952) and
Elizabeth Wheway(1864-1941). They were married on 14/06/1893.
He had 2 brothers George Walter Wheway(24/01/1895-1985)
and Claude Robert(1904-1969).
He also had 3 sisters, Dorothy Ada(born in 1899),Gladys Ellen
(born in 1899) and Catherine Elizabeth(born in 1901).
In the 1911 census the family were recorded as living at
Ebor House, 25 South Street,King's Lynn. Charles was employed as an apprentice cabinet maker.His father was the Town Hall keeper,
the Mayors officer and the probation officer.
Charles enlisted in East Dereham on 07/09/1914 as Private 2693
in the 1/5th Battalion Norfolk Regiment.
At his medical that day,his height was recorded as being 5ft 5 inches and his chest when fully expanded was 36 inches.His apparent age was recorded as 20 years 3 months, when really he was only 17.
On 18/01/1915,he was discharged after he became medically unfit for further service under Para 392(xvi) Kings regulations.
What ever illness was troubling him must have cleared up as he later re-enlisted back into the 5th Battalion Norfolk Regiment as
Private 4936(also using the regimental number 40757).
At some point he was transferred as Rifleman 9/41411 into the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
He was killed in action on 07/06/1917.