Private 7193 Charles Bassett
Killed in Action on Saturday, 18th November 1916, age 21.
Commemorated on Pier and Face 9 A 9 B and 10 B of Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
10th Bn., Royal Warwickshire Regiment. 57th Brigade of 19th Division.
Son of Mr Charles and Mrs Eliza Bassett, of 81 Horseley Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: West Bromwich, Resident: Tipton.
First landed France & Flanders, 18th July 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.
Commemorated on the Tipton Library, St. Luke's, and Horseley Heath Post Office memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.
Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/770121/
Genealogical Data
Birth of Charles Bassett registered March quarter 1895 in Dudley.
1901 Census
81 Horseley Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Charles Bassett (43, General Labourer, born Tipton), his wife Eliza (43, born Tipton), and their 2 chiildren: Charles (6, born Tipton), and Frederick (4, born Tipton). Also Step-daughters Elizabeth Lewis (17, Domestic Servant, born Tipton), and Eliza Lewis (15, Domestic Servant, born Tipton).
1911 Census
81 Horseley Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Charles Bassett (53, Chemical Labourer, born Tipton), his wife Eliza (53, born Tipton), and their 2 children: Charles (16, Assistant Postman, born Tipton), and Frederick (14, Iron Moulder's Labourer, born Tipton).
Personal Data
After Charles's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £10/13/3d (10 pounds, 13 shillings and 3 pence); this was paid to his mother and Sole Legatee, Eliza, in June 1917. His War Gratuity was £9/10/0d (9 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his Eliza in October 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Charles had enlisted in approximately September 1914.
Charles's mother, Eliza Bassett, was granted a Dependant's Pension of 7/6d (7 shillings and 6 pence) per week from 19th December 1917. On Eliza's death in 1932, the Dependant's Pension transferred to her husband, Charles.
Action resulting in his death
The Battle of the Ancre, from the 13th to 18th November 1916, was the final battle of the 1916 Somme campaign. It began with the capture of Beaumont Hamel, St. Pierre Divion and Beaucourt, and later the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt which had been reached but never captured way back on 1st July.
One final push on the east bank of the Ancre was attempted on the 18th November. The 10th Warwicks were in the centre of 57th Brigade's attack which began at 6.10 am in darkness and heavy rain.
On the right the 8th North Staffs' attack was successful, and on the left with the 8th Gloucesters there was confusion but little success. In the centre the 10th Royal Warwicks' attack failed from the outset, with significant casualties. All that day the fighting continued. The enemy resisted stubbornly and no more ground could be gained.
Among the 60 Other Ranks of the 10th Warwicks killed on that day was Pte Charles Bassett. Charles was initially reported as missing, but in April 1917 his parents were informed that he was now officially reported killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Newspaper Cuttings
Birmingham Daily Gazette 16th January 1917
CASUALTY LISTS.
Midlands Names in the Roll of Honour.
MISSING.
R. WARWICKS. - Bassett,7193, C., (Tipton).
Tipton Herald May 5th 1917
Private C Bassett (Warks) previously reported missing now officially reported killed.