Charles was born in Waseby, Nottinghamshire the son of William and Annie Whitworth.The family had moved to Woodham Ferrers by 1897 where they lived at 4 Jubilee Terrace, The Street, next door to Charles Lingwood who died in August 1915 in Gallipoli. The 1911 census shows that William was a general labourer working on a farm and that he and Annie had been married for 26 years during which time they had produced nine children all of whom were still living.
Charles was then working as a baker for Peacocke’s Bakery based in the village.
He enlisted, initially in the Army Service Corps known colloquially as Ally Slopers Cavalry, where he was attached to the 9th Divisional Field Bakery. He was then reassigned to the 14th(Service) Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment, Severn Valley Pioneers with a new service number 42175. There is also a John H Whitworth who was transferred from the Field Bakery to the same battalion with the service number 42176 and he is mentioned on the war memorial as one who served and survived. This is probably Charles’ older brother Harry who was also a baker.
One name missing from the war memorial was Charles’ sister Kate, probably reflecting the attitude to women more prevalent at the time, who joined the newly formed Women’s Royal Air Force, service number 16391, attached to 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force and based at Stow Maries Aerodrome. She joined on 26th June 1918.
According to his medal record Charles landed in France on 9th May 1915, as did his brother John, which qualified them both for the 1914-15 Star as well as the usual British War and Victory Medals, a combination affectionately referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. As the 14th Battalion was not posted overseas until June 1916 Charles must have landed with the ASC. During their time on the Western Front the battalion was engaged in many important battles in France and Belgium all of which he survived only to die of pneumonia back in Blighty. The 1st Southern General Hospital where he died was housed in buildings taken over from Birmingham University. The influenza pandemic of 1918-1920 was said to have killed more people world wide that the Great War.
He was buried in the Churchyard at St Mary’s in Woodham Ferrers on 11th December just one month after The Armistice. His father subsequently received £39.5s.1d including a war gratuity of £24.10s.
Also mentioned on the war memorial is another brother George Whitworth who served with the 6th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps and survived, but, as he entered the war much later than his brothers, received the British War and Victory Medals.