Charles Archer, a single farm labourer at Grimley at time of enlistment, was born at Upland, near Upton-on-Severn in 1877.  On the 1911 Census he was recorded as boarding with John and Mary Johnson at Boat Lay, Grimley.  

He enlisted at Worcester in March 1916 and after training with the 3/8th Worcestershire embarked at Southampton for France on 30th August 1916. He joined the 1/8th Worcestershire on the 10th September at Authille and served in operations around Le Sars, on the Somme in November and December. It was here, in front of the Butte de Warlencourt that he was killed by a shell burst on the night of the 14th December.

Charles’ body was not recovered and he is today commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on the Somme

Charles Archer’s name on the Thiepval Memorial

His brother, Thomas, served with the 1st Worcestershire Regiment during the war.

Soldiers Papers PRO WO 363 A386