Charles Shelmerdine was born circa 1921 and was baptised at St. Mark’s Church on the 30th January 1921 the son of George Greatorix & Annie Frances Shelmerdine (nee Roberts), who were married in St. Deniol’s Church, Hawarden on the 29th December 1907. George Greatorix was 24, a Labourer and had lived in Connah’s Quay, his father George was deceased but his occupation had been as a Sailor. Annie Francis, 24 was a Domestic Servant, and her home had been in Higher Shotton, her father was Millington Griffiths Roberts, Labourer.
The 1921 census sheds some light on the family, they were living at 28, North Street, Shotton. George Greatrix Shelmerdine was head of the household, he was 38 years and 3 months old, had been born in Northop Parish and was a Furnaceman at John Summers & Sons, Hawarden Bridge Steelworks, Shotton. His wife, Annie Frances Shelmerdine was 37 years and 8 months old, she had been born in Hawarden and was doing “Home Duties.” The Shelmerdine children were: – Annie Frances, 12 years and 9 months old, Elizabeth Ann, 10 years and 10months old, Bertha,9 years and 7 months old, George Millington, 5 years and 4 months old, Cyril, 3 years and 2 months old, all born in Northop Parish. Charles Shelmerdine was 5 months old and born in Hawarden Parish.
Charles was Baptised on the 30th of January 1921 at St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay, the family address was given as 28, North Street, and George was an Ironworker.
I do not know about Charles’s early life, so any information would be much appreciated.
There is an Royal Artillery Attestation Register, but doesn’t give a proper date when he joined the Royal Artillery, except – 1938.
So it was no wonder that I couldn’t find him on the 1939 National Register which was taken on the 29th September 1939, but his parents George Greatorix and Annie Frances with brother George Millington Shelmerdine were recorded on this document. They were living at 14, Eaton Avenue, and George was a Road Construction Labourer while Annie Frances was doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties,” George Millington was a Butcher’s Assistant. Cyril Shelmerdine was also in the forces according to the newspaper report below.
Casualty List (No.4) (Corrections) tells us that he “Died” on the 20th September 1942 and they altered his rank from A/Sjt to W-S/Bdr.
Casualty List 976 (Page 29) (Corrections) also tells us that on Casualty List 948 his rank should read W.S./Bdr.
A Casualty Card tells us that his place of birth and residence was Connah’s Quay, and his place of death was – Unknown, but he died of Thrombosis. He was so young.
Chester Chronicle 3rd October 1942 Page 7 Col 3.
SOLDIER’S DEATH
The news was received on Tuesday that Sergt. Chas. SHELMERDINE died after a five week’s illness on Sept. 20th, aged 21. The sergeant was in the Middle East. He was the son of Mr. And Mrs. G. SHELMERDINE, Eaton-Avenue, Wepre-drive. Another brother, Cyril, has been a prisoner of war in Germany for two years.
If anyone can add to Charles’s earlier life, it would be gratefully received so we do not forget his sacrifice. His family did not forget, they put his name forward so he would be remembered for his sacrifice for us all.
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS
