Charles Barsby

View Charles on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Service number:
27092
Rank:
Private
Service:
North Staffordshire Regiment
Origin:
Date of birth:
05 November 1884
Date of death:
31 July 1917
Age at Death:
32
BARSBY Charles

Known information

Private Charles Barsby was born on 5 November 1884, the son of George and Hannah Barsby. He joined the 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment on 13 June 1916, and went out to Belgium the following January. He was killed by a bullet on 31 July 1917, on the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). The battalion war diary says the North Staffs had taken up positions just south of the Ypres to Menin railway line near Mount Sorrel. The objective was to capture Jehovah Trench and if possible to push forward to the west side of Bulgar Wood. Despite a heavy German barrage, the attacking infantry reached Jehovah. But a company of Northamptonshires on the left had made slow progress through the mangled tree stumps of Shrewsbury Forest, leaving the North Staffs dangerously exposed. The war diary recorded: "The enemy opened heavy enfilading machine gun fire from Shrewsbury Forest to our left and also from Bulgar Wood to our front. This caused a great many casualties to this battalion, especially among the officers who were all either killed or wounded by 6.30 am, except two. The men however advanced beyond Jehovah Tr. and commenced to dig themselves in." It rained heavily that night and the following day: "Our new trenches and surrounding country quickly turned into a mass of mud and water which severely handicapped all movement." The North Staffs were relieved the following evening, suffering a total of 313, killed, wounded and missing. They had captured 40-50 German prisoners and one machine gun. Charles died during this action. He was buried on the battlefield but his grave was never found and so he is remembered on Panel 55 of the Menin Gate, and also on Ketton's war memorial. His left a widow, Agnes, who after the war was recorded as living at St Cuthbert's Stables in Leicester.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission incorrectly says he is remembered on Panel 35/37 of the Menin Gate

Do you know something about Charles that hasn't been mentioned?
You can add any new information and images as a contribution at the bottom of this page.
  • Ketton Church
  • Ketton Memorial
  • Ketton Memorial
  • Menin Gate
  • Panel 55 North Staffs Regt
  • C Barsby

User contributions

Charles Barsby 27092 North Staffordshire Regiment
By Chris Barsby on Monday 31st July '17 at 8:18am
Charles Barsby could be my mother's Grandfather, or, a relative. I'm interested because my mother's father had the same name, and she lost contact with Charlie after the second WW as he re-married. I'm keen to get into contact with anyone from the family. Thanks. Tim Faulkner NZ
By tim faulkner on Thursday 5th December '19 at 7:54pm
 

Rutland and The Battle of the Somme

More than 90 Rutland soldiers died in the Battle of the Somme which lasted from 1 July 1916 until the middle of November. Today they lie in cemeteries across the old battlefield in northern France or are remembered among the 72,000 names on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. By using our interactive map, you can find out what happened to them.

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