Charles Cudmore was born in Great Torrington in 1892. His father, Lewis, a tailor by trade, was also born in the town. His mother, Lydia, originally came from Marylebone in Middlesex. In 1901, the family were residents at 7 Mill Street. Charles was enrolled in the local Torrington Boys’ School in 1899.

 

Charles’ mother, Lydia, passed away in July 1907 and the death was reported in the North Devon Journal of the 25th of that month. By 1909, Lewis had married again, this time to Elizabeth Row March and they were wed in the town. The fact that both Lewis and Elizabeth had been married before and had brought their own families to the relationship meant there was a resultant large household.

 

By the 1911 census the family were living at 5 South Street, Great Torrington. At this point there are nine people living in the household. Charles is now 18 years of age and has followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a tailor; his father is still listed as a tailor, too. There are two other children in the household. These are Lucy, aged 9, who is Elizabeth’s daughter from her first marriage, as well as the couple’s newborn child, also called Lewis. To complicate the household, Lewis’ former mother-in-law, Sarah Beer, aged 65 also lives with the family along with Lewis’ two brother-in-laws, Walter and Michael.

 

I have not been able to source any information relating to Charles’ enlistment details. We do know that he served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps; we also know that his service number was 08797. Charles would serve at the rank of Lance Corporal. A clipping from the Western Times [1] was able to expand to his military service further. They report that Charles served in the Corps for four years, which included spells in both France and Egypt. His service abroad continued after the end of the war at which point he contracted dysentery; the condition worsened while he was home on leave and he was admitted to the Torrington VAD Hospital. As there was no improvement in his condition, he was transferred on to the Military Hospital at Exeter where he passed away shortly afterwards on 20th February 1919. He was 26 years of age.

 

The North Devon Journal continues to report that Charles received a “semi-military” funeral that was attended by a large number of people. The report describes the coffin being draped in the Union Jack flag, which was carried by six servicemen dressed in khaki. Charles is buried in the Great Torrington Cemetery.

 

As Charles was unmarried and had no children I have not been able to contact any of his descendants. However, if you do have any information that would add to his story, I would like to hear from you.

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[1] Western Times. February 28th 1919. "Funeral of Lance Corporal C Cudmore at Torrington".

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