OWSTON, Charles

Charles (Charley)was the only son of Charles and Elizabeth ( Jessie) Owston. He first appears on the census of 1901 aged 1 year old and the family was living at 34, Franklin Street. His father was a butcher having a shop in Newborough. By the 1911 census Charley was aged 11 and the family were living at 97,Garfield Road. Charley attended Gladstone Road and his name appears on the school memorial.

Charley joined the East Yorkshire Regiment, 9th Battalion. A private he was based at Rugeley Camp.

Charley died on13/11/1917 the military record reads ……..
Cause of death – Died
Place of death – Home
Theatre of death – Home
Date of death – 1917
Death Day – 13 of the11th

A report in the Birmingham Daily Post 15/11/1917 throws a little light on things.

Soldiers Tragic Death. Charge against Motor Driver at Stafford

Another fatality has occurred on Cannock Road, Brocton. A soldier named Charles Owston (18) and a companion were walking along the road about 9:30 pm Saturday evening. Two motor cars were travelling on the road in opposite directions and one of them struck Owston and knocked him down. He was taken to hospital where he died on Tuesday.

At Stafford County Police Court yesterday, a charge of causing Owston’s death by reckless driving was preferred against Harold Ross a motor driver.

In a statement made to the police,the accused said it was an accident on account of the glaring lights from the approaching car.

Accused was remanded.

Charles’s death was recorded in the Litchfield District of Staffordshire.

Charles is remembered on the Gladstone Road School Memorial;the Hoxton Road Methodist Chapel Memorial and in Dean Road Cemetery where he is buried. FB 33.