Charles Barnard Shepherd

War Service

Charles Barnard Shepherd joined the Royal Field Artillery with the service number 184504 in October 1916 but was later transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers. He then joined the 16th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers with the service number 60135. He died on 10th May 1918 and was buried in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, Plot IV Row A Grave 10. His name is also recorded on a Memorial stone at the site of the old Ferrybridge St Andrew’s Church burial ground with the words “Killed in action at Bouzincourt, near Albert, France 10 May 1918 aged 20.” According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website he was the son of G W Shepherd of Stainlands, Ferrybridge.
Pontefract Advertiser 8th June 1918:
“With deep regret we record the death in action of Private C B Shepherd, younger son of Mr and Mrs G W Shepherd, Beauforth House, Ferrybridge. Deceased, who was not yet 21, was educated at King’s School, Pontefract, where he distinguished himself both at sport and studies and was afterwards in the Halifax Commercial Bank at Castleford. He joined the RFA in October 1916 but was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers and afterwards served with the Welsh Fusiliers as a sniper. Once he suffered from gas poisoning but rejoined his unit and fell gallantly on May 10th. Both his brothers are with the RFA – the elder Lieut G W Shepherd, who has twice been wounded, is now in hospital at Ripon, convalescent from a severe thigh wound received in March last, while the other, Lieut H Shepherd has just been discharged from a French hospital.
The deceased solider was a most estimable young man and had rendered excellent service to his village by working as a Sunday School teacher and is a member of the Parish Church Choir and deputy organist and on Sunday last, a choral Communion service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev A H B Lees) in his memory. There was a large congregation and the Vicar’s references to deceased as a communicant and church worker were heartily endorsed. A handsome wreath, subscribed for by the parishioners was suspended over deceased’s former seat in the choir and this was afterwards sent to France to be placed on his grave.
Mr and Mrs Shepherd, in addition to numerous letters of sympathy from local friends, have received most kind letters from deceased’s battalion officers.”
Pontefract and Castleford Express Roll of Honour 7th June 1918:
“10 May 1918 killed in action in France aged 20 years, Charles Barnard Shepherd, Welsh Fusiliers, dearly loved and youngest son of Mr & Mrs George W Shepherd, Beauforth House, Ferrybridge.”

Family Life

Charles Barnard Shepherd was born on 2nd February 1898. He was the son of George William Shepherd and Grace Mary Shepherd nee Barnard. His parents had married in the fourth quarter of 1889 and their marriage was registered at Pocklington.
In the 1911 census he was shown as living with his parents and siblings at Ferrybridge.