Charles Edward Dryhurst was born in Audley between January and March 1898 to Edward J and Minnie Dryhurst. Both Edward and Minnie were born in Birmingham and Charles had a brother and sister.

In 1901, according to the Census, the family is shown as living at 11 Miles Green, Audley and Edward is an electrical engineer. By the 1911 Census, the family is now at Bignall End and Edward is still an electrical engineer at a coal mine. Charles is still at school.

According to his army records, he joined up on the 14th November 1914 when he was 16. However, he is recorded as being 19 years and 2 months old! His profession is listed as a fitter and he was 5 feet and 3 3/4 inches tall.
He was sent to France on 19th June 1915. He is reported as being injured on 27th March 1916 at St. Eloi, which was the day the Canadian Army set off a series of six underground mines. He returned to the field on 19th June 1916.

He served as Private Charles Edward Dryhurst G/9675, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and was killed on 23rd July 1916 aged just 18.

After he was killed, his effects were sent home to his parents. These included a comb, a letter case, a note book, letters and photos, a photo wallet and 3 religious books.

The Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel Saturday 26th August 1916

Killed in Action

Mr. And Mrs. Dryhurst 112 London Road, Chesterton, have received official news that their son, Pte. Charles Edward Dryhurst, aged 18, Royal Fusiliers, was killed in action on July 23rd. He had only returned to the firing line on July 1st after recovering from wounds received at St. Eloi in March last. He enlisted in November 1914, at the age of 16 years.

Charles Dryhurst was awarded the 1914 – 15 Star, the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, on the Audley War Memorial, the Chesterton War Memorial and on our Memorial.

Link to his CWGC commemoration.

Charles Dryhurst commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial ¹

The Audley War Memorial

The Chesterton War Memorial ²