2.LIEUT CHARLES PELHAM GARDNER ALDRICH
Charles Pelham Gardner Aldrich
Born Roby, Liverpool, Lancashire 12/7/1895
Son of Charles Roper Aldrich & Mary Ellen Aldrich of 'High Ridge', The Drive, Wimbledon
Educated at Eastbourne College, East Sussex & became Head Boy of Gonville House
Went up to Caius College, Cambridge University & read for the Engineering Tripos, graduating in 1914
Commissioned into the 26th 'Bankers' Battalion, Royal Fusiliers 29/6/15
To France 16/7/16
On the night of 15/9/16 during the attack on Switch Line & Flers Trench, north-east of Delville Wood on the Somme, he 'behaved with conspicuous bravery in rescuing a wounded brother officer from within a short distance of the enemy position'& his conduct was complimented by his Divisional General
3 Weeks later he was KIA SOMME 7/10/16 during attack on Bayonet Trench
Note 1: At Zero Hour (1.45pm) on 7/10/16 the 26th & 32nd Royal Fusiliers were in assembly trenches whilst the British artillery rained a very heavy barrage on Bayonet Trench & the German lines. However, owing to a steep bank immediately in front of British lines, the effects of this barrage was unobserved & the Germans pushed several of his machine guns forward into No Mans Land. When the 26th 'Bankers' Battalion advanced over the crest, they formed a very easy target for the accurate & extremely heavy German machine-gun fire. The Royal Fusiliers suffered heavy casualties, but men continued to press forward under the very fine leadership of their officers, including 2nd Lieut Aldrich
Buried in A.I.F. Burial Ground, Grass Lane, Flers
Also commemorated in the UK:-
> On the Surrey County Cricket Club War Memorial ("They played the game") in The Oval Cricket Ground, Kennington, London SE
> In the Warrior Chapel, St.Mary's Parish Church, Wimbledon, London SW
> On the Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge WW1 Memorial
Note 2: His uncle, Admiral Pelham Aldrich CVO, was a distinguished naval officer and Arctic explorer - Click here
His Officers Papers exist at TNA but we have not checked them Ref: WO 339/31958
With copy of his Medal Index Card, SDGW & CWGC details plus supporting research documentation
Condition: NEF
