13th Battalion (Forest of Dean Pioneers), Gloucestershire Regiment
Charles Huckson was born at Upton Bishop, Herefordshire. Evidence from BMD records indicates that this was in 1870 but in other records his age varies. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Huckson, who by the time of the 1881 Census had seven children. Thomas was a quarryman and Charles’ early life was at Phocle Green, Herefordshire.
He came to Cinderford and married Mary Ann Jordan at St Stephen’s Church, Cinderford on 5 November 1898, he gave his age as 24 and his employment at Cinderford Gas Works. According to the 1911 Census the family lived at Abbey Street, Cinderford, with his wife’s widowed father, John Jordan. Charles was then working as an ‘above ground colliery labourer’. The couple had two daughters.
Unfortunately few records survive with details of Charles’ military service. The 13th Battalion of the Glosters was raised locally in December 1914 and taken over by the War Office on 12 July 1915. The Soldiers’ Effects Register shows an entitlement of a £3 War Gratuity which indicates service of between six to twelve months prior to death.
Charles died at home in Cinderford on 7 October 1915: a recently released Pension Record Card states this was from cerebral thrombosis on active service and bronchitis. He was buried in St John’s Churchyard, Cinderford, where a CWGC headstone now marks his grave. If the BMD entry is correct then his age was 44 or 45, however the CWGC record states it to be 43 and the church’s burial register 40.
One of Charles’ brothers, 174 Serjeant John Huckson, of 1/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment, who lived at Upton Bishop, also died in the Great War. He was killed in action on 3 November 1915 at Gallipoli and has no known grave, his name being inscribed on the Helles Memorial to the Missing.
His widow died at Cinderford, in 1924, aged 52.
GRA
18 March 2016
(revised 28 July 2021)
(Special acknowledgement to Eric Nicholls for supplying the bulk of this information)