MY WAR DEAD
MITCHELL, Charles Leonard - died 25th August 1918.
Charles Leonard Mitchell was born in Peckham, Surrey, on 28th August 1886, being the 6th child and 5th son of Francis Mitchell, a postman, and his wife who was born Mary Helen Mann. Charles had followed his father into the Post Office by 1901 when he was already working as a telegraph messenger, but he subsequently moved to the South Metroplitan Gas Company where he was employed as a 'burner attendant' at the time of the 1911 census.
Charles army service began when he enlisted in London but his service record has not survived and the date is unknown. He subsequently served with the 11th Battalion London Regiment before becoming a rifleman with the 21st Battalion (1st Surrey Rifles). Charles' medal record indicates that he did not see active service before 1916, but he was killed in action near Bray-sur-Somme, France, on 25th August 1918, aged almost 32, and is buried at the Bray Hill British cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme; Bray was a key location at the forefront of much fighting in August 1918. Charles was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
It is not known whether Charles married or had children and he does not appear to have left a Will.
Charles Leonard Mitchell was my 2nd cousin, 3 times removed.