Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Charles Palmer Wagner was born on 15 March 1895 in Pontefract, Yorkshire, the son of Fred, a liquorice boiler,  and Betsy Ann.  On the 1901 Census, Charles was living with his parents and brothers Fred Haydn (19), John Haydn (14) and Thomas Henry (2) at 6 Johnson Street, Sheffield.  By then his father was a hydraulic pressman.  By 1911, the family had moved to 6 Jedburgh Street, Sheffield where he was living with his parents and his younger brother.  His occupation was machine hand in an iron foundry.

Charles enlisted on 8 December 1915, aged 20, joining the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport).  His civilian occupation was listed as shell turner/fitter.  He was mobilised on 26 June 1916 and served in the UK until 8 December 1916.  He went on to serve in Egypt, embarking at Devonport on 9 December 1916 on HT “Euripides” arriving in Alexandria on 9 January 1917.  He was compulsorily transferred to the Tank Corps, as Tank Mechanic 1^st class, on 9 October 1917.

On 12 December 1917, Charles was admitted to 21 General Hospital suffering with malaria.

Charles was compulsorily transferred to the Army Service Corps Motor Transport with effect from 2 July 1918.  He returned to the UK on 26 August 1919 and was discharged on 25 September 1919.  He was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Charles married Lilian Foster in 1920 in the Ecclesall Bierlow District and they had two daughters, both born in Sheffield, Phyllis on 24 August 1920 and Gwendoline in 1923.

On the 1939 Register Charles and Lilian are living at 93 Fife Street, Sheffield with their daughters.  Charles’ occupation was a maintenance engineer.

Charles died in Rotherham in 1981 (aged 86).

Are you related to Charles? Please get in touch if you can tell us more.