Trafford

Born on the 26th March 1893 during the June quarter 1893 in the Altrincham
R.D. - ref: 8a/183, the eldest son of George & Elizaeth Ann Eaton (nee
Derbyshire).

1901 Census - 7 Rainbow Terrace, Hale.   Son - aged: 8 - born: Hale.   
Head of household - George Eaton - Married - aged: 30 - occ: Coachman
(Domestic) - born: Altrincham.   Also - Elizabeth A. Eaton - Wife - aged:
32 - born: Altrincham.   Plus 3 younger brothers - Merlin 6;  Joseph 4; 
Albert H. 2.

1911 Census - Grove Lane, Hale.   Son -aged: 18 - occ: Office of Cotton
Waste Manufacturer - born: Altrincham.    Head of household - George Eaton
- Married - aged: 41 - occ: Day Gardener - born: Lymm.   Also - Elizabeth
Ann Eaton - Wife - aged: 42 - born: Altrincham.   Plus 5 younger siblings
and a niece.   His brothers were - Merlin 16;  Joseph 14;  Albert Howcroft
12 and Arthur 6.

Employed by Messrs J.& N. Phillips & Co, Manchester.

MIC - states that he was posted to France on the 8th November 1915.

WO363 - Aged 21 years 6 months when he attested on the 3rd September 1914. 
 Occupation: Warehouseman.   Confirms that he went to France on the 8th
November 1915.   He was 5 feet 7½ inches in height - weighed 131 lb -
chest measurement 32/34 inches.  He had dark hair, brown eyes and a dark
complexion.   It confirms the details of his three brothers - Merlin,
Albert and Arthur, plus his sister - Nellie.  He was killed in action at
Montauban, Somme.  He was guilty of three misconducts.   It is not possible
to read what they were, but they were as follows with the date of his
hearings.     4 days C.B. on 25th April 1915.  2 days C.B. on 10th May
1915.   4 days Field Punishment No.2 for which he also had to forfeit 5
days pay on 22nd October 1915.

The 17th Bn Manchester Rgt were part of 30th Division, 90 Brigade who were
detailed to attack Montauban Village on the 1st July 1916.   The 16th, 17th
& 18th Battalions in that order attacked across quite a wide section of No
Mans Land to attack the German 'Valley Trench' and 'Silesia Trench'.    At
08.30 hrs the 16th & 17th Battalions advanced in comparative safety up
'Railway Valley' to the east of 'Talus Boisé' aided by a smoke screen laid
by others.  Leaving this cover, they came under fire from 'Breslau Alley'
but pushed forward and reached 'Train Alley'.   They caught up with the
British barrage and had to halt.   The British barrage caused many
casualties amongst their own men.   Another smoke screen was laid from
'Glatz Redoubt' and the Manchester's and Royal Scots moved forward and
arrived at the deserted village at 10.05 hrs.   In the early afternoon the
German artillery further to the north laid an accurate and continuous
barrage on the village that caused many British casualties.   The barrage
ended between 16.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs.   It is quite likely that Charles
died during this barrage.

His death reported in the 18/07/1916 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Listed as a Second Lieutenant on the Christ Church Memorial and as a
Private on St. Peter's Memorial.   Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll
of Honour for 1917.

Commemorated on the private family gravestone in Christchurch Churchyard,
Timperley.

His father, George died 01/11/1918 aged 49 years and his mother, Elizabeth
Ann died 19/06/1956 aged 88 years.