Charles Frederick Hartle (1898–1961)

Private

Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 22567 6th Batallion
Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
M/352866  

Photo courtesy Jane Smith and Kathleen Hartle

Charles Frederick Hartle in WW1

Charles Frederick Hartle in WW1

Charles (standing) with right leg in plaster
In a VAD convalescent hospital, Leigh on Sea (a requesitioned hotel)

Biography (with thanks to Jane Smith)
Charles was born in 1899 at Crich to Charles Jackson and Mary Ellen Hartle. In April 1915 he enlisted into the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, at the same time as his brother Harry Sylvester Hartle.
Charles was very badly injured during the war and left in a shell hole up to his neck. It was a long time before he heard English voices and dared to cry out. His rescuers pulled him out which further damaged his crushed legs.

He married Alice M Litchfield in September qtr 1919 (Belper reg district) and died in 1961 at Derby.

Medal Roll Index Cards
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15-Star Medals.
Silver War Badge awarded
Entered France 17/8/15

Silver War Badge Record
M/352866; Pte HARTLE Charles Frederick A.S.C. M.T; Badge B18236; Enlist 3/5/15; Discharged 1/10/18 sickness; aged 22; served overseas.

Newspaper Report
Charles's brother Harry was killed during the war. Charles was mentioned in the newspaper report –

Belper News, 14 July 1916
BELPER SOLDIERS DEATH
News of the death of Private Harry Hartle, Yorks Light Infantry, was received a week ago by his parents residing at Barton Knowle, Belper. Deceased’s enlisted with his brother Charles in April 1915 in the – Batt, Yorkshire Light Infantry raised at Doncaster. Deceased was in his 23rd year and on the kitchen staff, having previously been engaged by Mr F. Neaum’s baker, King Street Belper. A joint letter from two of deceased comrades Private A W Barker and Private J Dunn, was received a week ago by Mrs Hartle containing the information of her son’s death and expressing deepest sympathy. “I am sure,” the letter proceeds, “we cannot express how keenly we feel it, in losing him so suddenly, as we have been chums ever since first enlisting. We sincerely hope that the knowledge that he has done his duty bravely will help you bear better against this sudden bereavement.” Another letter from the deceased’s brother Charles was also received by the mother stating that he heard that his brother met his death after the explosion of the trench mortar, dying in a comrade’s arms some ten minutes afterwards, and was buried in the same evening, he himself being present at the internment.
The writer, Charles, who enlisted in the same regiment when barely 17, was drafted to France in July last year, his deceased brother following in August. After a few months in the trenches Charles was wounded but remained in France, and on, convalescence went back to the firing line, where he again met his brother. Neither of the brothers had received leave since enlisting. Though naturally greatly grieved, Mrs Hartle expresses her satisfaction that her son has died a soldier’s death for his country, and has been interred in a soldier’s grave.
Lieut Thomas B Crow forward to letter to Mrs Hartle extending sympathy to her. “As his platoon officer,” he says, “I always have had the greatest trust in him. He always did his work properly, and as you know I was the means of getting his stripe. Had he been spared he would doubtless have risen higher. He often worked with two of his chums, Hough and Smithhurst, and it may give you satisfaction to know that the three had a reputation in the platoon which had a good influence on the rest. It is often said that no one can realise the depth of a mother’s feeling towards her family, but as I am an only son I think I may in some respects at any rate feel your sorrow.”
Lance Corporal Hough writes to the parents of Private Harry Hartle, tendering deepest sympathy and relating that the latter was killed by a shell when a few yards from the writer. “We rushed to him and carried him to a place of safety. The officer and I did all we could for him, but he expired a few minutes later in my arms. I gave all his belongings to the platoon officer to be forwarded to you. I am forwarding you his cap badge in this letter and a few cards I found in his pack. His death has been a great blow to me, as we were the best of chums. All his comrades send you their deepest sympathy in your bereavement. He was respected by all his comrades in the platoon.”

His brother Harry Sylvester Hartle is also on the Roll of Honour


CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Amber Grove, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Charles J Hartle Head 41 Warehouseman at wire mill Crich
Mary E Hartle wife 36   Crich
Louisie Hartle daughter 12   Crich
Florrie Hartle daughter 9   Sheffield
Harry S Hartle son 7   Crich
Ellen Hartle daughter 5   Crich
Chas F Hartle son 2   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 58 page 2

1911: Belper

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Charles Jackson Hartle Head 51 Wire tester Crich
Mary Ellen Hartle wife 47   Crich
Annie Ruth Hartle daughter 24   Crich
Louie Hartle daughter 22   Crich
Florrie Hartle daughter 19 Cook Sheffield
Harry Sylvester Hartle son 17 Coal Miner Crich
Ellen Hartle daughter 15 Cheviner Crich
Charles Frederick Hartle son 13   Crich

RG14PN20968 RG78PN1250 RD436 SD3 ED6 SN193

1939 Register: Nottingham Road, Belper
Charles F Hartle b.27 May 1898
Alice M Hartle b.7 May 1898
One closed record