26638 Private Charles Sydney Caperton
7th Battalion
Somerset Light Infantry
16 August 1917
He was born in Stepney Middlesex in 1883.
His father was William George Caperton (30/01/1847-1884), employed as a paper hanger who had previously been married to Emma Jane Georgina Keast (19/01/1848-1879) on 18/10/1869. They had a son (Charles’ stepbrother) William George Keast (born on 04/08/1870).
His mother was Elizabeth Ann Smith (28/01/1863-1946) who married William Caperton in 1880.
Charles had a sister, Annie May (25/05/1881-1965).
After her husband William died in 1884, Elizabeth remarried on 11/04/1889 to Henry Scatchard (1847-1903).
In the 1901 census the family were recorded as living at 58 Clifton Road, West Ham, Canning Town, East London.
His stepfather was employed as a ships steward.
Charles married Winifred Minnie Jupp (15/08/1886-1965) on 25/09/1909. They had 2 children,
Gordon Harold (09/09/1912-01/08/1996) and Hilda Winifred (15/09/1910-01/01/1995).
In the 1911 census the family were recorded as living at 109 Beckton Road Canning Town East London.
Charles was employed as a pawnbroker’s assistant.
Charles’ job eventually took him to Bath, which is where he was living when he enlisted as Private 26638 in
7th Battalion Somerset light Infantry.
He was killed in action on 16/08/1917.
Charles was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette – Saturday 01 September 1917
Local War Items
Bath Pawnbroker’s assistant killed
News reached Bath on Saturday that Private Charles Sidney Caperton of the Somerset L.I. has been killed in action. These tidings were conveyed to Mrs Caperton in a letter from the captain, who states that her husband was killed in an attack on an enemy position and met his death as a brave man and a soldier. His body was recovered and has been buried in a military cemetery. His platoon expresses their regret at the loss of their comrade. Pte Caperton was 34 years of age and there are two young children. His home was at 5 Coronation Road, Lower Weston. He joined the army in August 1916. He was invalided home some time ago suffering from bronchitis and about a fortnight ago was slightly wounded, while serving in the trenches, which cut off the lobe of his ear. In civilian life, Pte Caperton was an assistant salesman at the pawnbroker’s business at 36, Westgate Street, owned by Mr Caldicott. He had previously been associated with Mr Caldicott in London and Wolverhampton and came to Bath in 1913. Mr W.H. Clark, the manager at 36 Westgate Street is deeply grieved at the loss of his colleague, whom he held in high esteem.
His widow, Winifred was awarded a pension of 22/11 a week from 04/03/1918 on 26/02/1918. This was increased to 30/- a week from 04/09/1918.
Losing his father in the war, seems to have had an adverse effect on his son Gordon, who veered from the straight
and narrow as he got older.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette – Saturday 20 January 1934
On the Downward Path
Former Bath Youth’s Love of Pleasure
“We are going to deal leniently with the case. We are afraid from what we hear as to the manner in which you spend your time and of your being easily led and addicted to dancing that you are drifting.” Observed the Chairman of the Weston -Super-Mare Bench, Mr J. Jackson Barstow, in ordering Gordon H. Caperton (21) and unemployed salesman of Milburn Road, Weston-Super-Mare, formerly of Bath, to be placed on probation for two years after hearing of a charge of stealing a cycle valued at £3 10s., the property of Mr Lionel D. Vickery, an ex-student now resident at Andover.
The evidence showed that the machine had been stolen outside a residence in Hill Road, and a few days later was sold by Caperton to a local barman for 15s.
Supt. Spiller informed the court that Caperton’s father, afterwards killed in the war, had been the manager of a large jewellery establishment in Bath.
In January 1929, with another lad, Caperton was placed on 12 months’ probation in regard to handbag thefts.
Mr Barstow ordered Caperton to pay 15s court costs and £1 7s 6d. witnesses
expenses.
Western Daily Press – Saturday 10 February 1934
Busy Man’s Summary
Gordon Harold Caperton of Milburn Road Weston-Super-Mare was sent to prison for two months by the Weston magistrates yesterday for attempting to steal a handbag and contents valued at 10s 6d, the property of Miss Patricia O’Shaugnessy at a hunt ball in the Knightstone Pavilion.