Private Thomas Charters

 

Thomas Charters was born on 2 July 1896 at Magheracranmoney, Downpatrick, County Down, the last of four children of agricultural labourer (later shipyard labourer) Thomas Charters and his wife Elizabeth (née McBride). The family moved to Belfast between 1901 and 1906. At the time of the 1911 Census Thomas was living at 95 Lilliput Street, Belfast, with his parents and one of his two surviving siblings. In November that year he was treated in the Mater Hospital for a lacerated wound to his arm.

Charters enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Belfast on 10 April 1915 (No. UD/303 – later Corps of Dragoons No.21287). He gave his age as 19 years 9 months (a year more than his true age) and his occupation as carter. The medical report noted that he required dental treatment.

On 6 October 1915 the squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division, embarked for France. Charters, however, remained in training at the reserve depot at Enniskillen until 15 November 1916, when he embarked for France, joining his unit in the field on 9 December.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron had joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the Regiment was disbanded and most of its men were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment.

Charters, however, was not among them. While in training at the 36th Infantry Base Depot and Harfleur he fell ill, suffering from arthritis. Initially admitted to No.40 Stationary Hospital at Harfleur, on 21 October 1917 he was evacuated to the UK, where he was posted to the reserve squadron at Enniskillen.

On 20 March 1918 he was admonished and forfeited five days' pay for being absent without leave from 16 to 20 March.

Charters was discharged from the army on 15 March 1919, being 'no longer physically fit for war service' (paragraph 392(xvi), King's Regulations). He was granted a pension due to arthritis in his left hip, which was attributed to his military service. In February 1920 his level of disability was assessed at 60 per cent. (This had improved to 30% by August 1922.)

By 1950 Charters was living at 144 Madrid Street, Belfast with his wife May, and working as a labourer. He died on 31 March that year and was buried in the Dundonald Cemetery.

 

Note: Charters' regimental number is outside the normal date-number sequence. Number 303 should equate to an enlistment date around October 1915, but the records are clear that he enlisted on 10 April.

 

This page last updated 1 August 2023.