Charles Alfred Emms No 241513

[mervynH]

My Great Uncle Charles Alfred Emms was killed on 3 December 1917 at battle of Cambrai. He served with 2nd/8 battalion. I know nothing else about him. Does anyone else have information?

Mervyn Harrison

[Barrie]

Dear Mervyn,

I looked up your Great Uncle on Soldiers Died in the Great War and can confirm he is:

241513 Lance Corporal Charles Alfred Emms
2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.
Born: Littleton, Evesham, Worcestershire.
Enlisted: Evesham.
Killed in Action 3/12/1917, France & Flanders.

If you would like a facsimile copy of the Memorial scroll send an e-mail with your address and I'll print you a copy, they look nice framed and although not the original they are the next best thing.

I also looked him up on the Commonwealth War Graves Commissions Debt of Honour the address is ERROR://www.cwgc.org/debt_of_honour.asp If you go there you can print out the information and another certificate which looks nice framed.

In Memory of
Lance Corporal CHARLES ALFRED EMMS

241513, 2nd/8th Bn., Worcestershire Regiment
who died age 23
on 03 December 1917
Son of Frederick and Ellen Emms, of 5, Middle Littleton, Evesham, Worcs.
Remembered with honour
CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

You can get a copy of his Medal Index Card from the National Archives (ERROR://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/) Site for £3.50 but this doesn't always tell you much but you need it to get copies of his entry on any medal rolls which can tell you a little more but you will have to go to London and search for them yourself.

I tend to pay a researcher to do this for me which at £35 is probably cheaper. If you look at
ERROR://militaryresearchon.com/
He does a package for Soldiers that did not survive the war, for your money he will search for a Soldiers Record but to be honest lots were destroyed in the 2nd World War and sometimes you pay your money and take a chance but if they have survived they really are a great source of information and interest.

Hope this is helpful

Barrie

[scully]

Hi Mervyn,

Barrie has already provided you with some good information and tips. I had a look at his Medal Index Card for you, which shows the following:

Private Charles Alfred Emms had two army service numbers. The first number he was issued with was 4513 which would suggest he may have been in the army before the war. He was later given a new number which was 241513 (this is the number you quoted).
His Medal Index Card confirms he only served with the 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Also it shows he was entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal - It gives the medal roll number as L/102 B9, page 2042. You can use the medal roll number to maybe find more information held at the National Archives at Kew.

Regards,

Louis

[Kevin Lynott]

Mervyn,

On the 3rd December 1917 elements of the 2/8th Bn Worcs Reg were located in a trench system called Corner Works to the north-west of la Vacquerie, during the day the Germans counter-attacked following the failure of other units from the Brigade to secure trenches lost to the east of la Vacquerie. The German attack forced the British out of the village but the defenders in the Corner Works stood firm.

Kevin