CHARLES WILLIAM HOURD 1892–1922

Born 1892 in Sneinton, Nottingham, baptised 23rd May 1892 St Stephen Church, Sneinton, Nottingham.

Married in 1921 to Gertrude Mary Stevenson, the daughter of a butcher at Lamcote, Radcliffe on Trent

Died 2nd April 1922, Basford district, Notts. age 29

1901 Census

Living at Holme Lane with father Charles Edwin 37, farmer and mother Elizabeth 34.

1911 Census

Age 18, working on father’s farm, Fox and Crown Farm, Holme Lane, Holme Pierrepont. An aunt, Helena Mary Hourd 49 and cousin Florence Hodder 18 are also living with the family.

Military Service

Rank: Private

Service number: M/287180

Military Unit: Royal Army Service Corps Motor Transport

At attestation: address Fox and Crown Farm, employed as cowman, height 5ft 10ins

Next of Kin: father

On the 9th December 1915 Charles William Hourd enlisted with the Army Service Corps No. 1 M.T. R88 Depot. Formed in 1914, this ASC Horsed Transport 8 Reserve Park Company filled a variety of admin and back up roles and was at the disposal of the GHQ of the British Expeditionary Force in France.

Charles was discharged no longer fit for service on 25th September 1917, Army Reserve Woolwich Dockyard. According to his Pensions Record Card he was suffering from neurasthenia, receiving £3 4shillings per week (£3.20p). He wrote on 15.2.1919 to the Army Service Corps Mechanical Transport at Woolwich stating that he had applied for a Silver War Badge which he had not received.

Pension Issue Office notified of his death in 1922 by his wife. At the time of his death he was living at Hall Farm.

Medals Awarded

1914-1915 Star, British War and Victory (source: pension record)

Other information

Direct relatives of Charles Hourd also served in the First World War including his uncle Laurence Hourd and his son Frank Edward, who both served with the Sherwood Foresters, and Laurence’s other son John William who served with the Royal Artillery and died of wounds in Gallipoli in 1915. Cousins Albert Hourd and Albert Vernon Hourd both served with the Sherwood Foresters and William Hourd was a driver with the Royal Field Artillery.