THE short life of Harlow resident as read by the head girl of Pear Tree Mead school, Emily Beckett.

This project was brought to you by Harlow Council Civic Fund and HTS Ltd.

Never Forget.

Charley (Charlie) Thompson

Charley’s parents were William Thompson, born in Harlow in 18421 and Ann Fuller, born in Felsted in 18472. They married in Harlow in 18683 and Charley Thompson was born in Harlow in 18834. In the 20th century, Charley changed the spelling of his name to ‘Charlie’.

The 1891 census shows Charley living in Tye Green with his parents and five of his seven siblings. William was working as an agricultural labourer. By 1901 Charlie was living with his brother Harry and sister-in-law Mary at 23 Ashton Road, West Ham. Both Harry and Charlie worked on the railway with Charlie working as a cleaner.

Charlie married May Miriam Hutchings in 19065. The 1911 census shows Charlie living in two rooms at Tye Green, Netteswell with his wife and two children Lilian, aged four and Charlie aged one. Charlie and May had also had a further child who died before the census was taken. Charlie was working as a farm labourer. Charlie’s father and siblings were still residing in Tye Green however his mother had passed away before the census was taken.

Private Charlie Thompson, 6488, enlisted in Stratford and joined The 11th Battalion of The Essex Regiment. Charlie was killed on 24 May 1916 aged 33 and is buried in The Essex Farm Cemetery, Boesinghe, Belgium. Plot 2, row N, grave 20. Register Index Number Bel.73.

May never remarried and died in Chelmsford in 19496 at the age of 64.