Charles Alfred Tedford

Killed in Action on the 25/04/1915 at the Battle of St Julien (part of the 2nd Battle of Ypres)

ADDITIONAL FAMILY INFORMATION - From the 1901 Ireland Census - Address - 91.2 West Street, Portadown Urban, Armagh, Ireland - Pooler Mulholland aged 23, Jane Mulholland aged 22, lodger Charles Tedford aged 17. Charles had 5 siblings, brother Herbert Tedford aged 40, sisters Emma Matilda Jane Cranson (nee Tedford) aged 48 (25/09/1869 - 28/06/1961), Susan (Susanna) Ellen Tedford aged 44 (26/02/1873 - 18/06/1944), Anna Maria Best (nee Tedford) aged 35 (10/01/1880 - 06/01/1951) and Maggie Metcalf (nee Tedford) aged 33 (28/03/1883 - 25/05/1952). Ages were taken from Charles' Service Record (8) on the 28/05/1919. Other brothers were Thomas George Tedford (08/02/1868 - 1875) and Charles Nicholas Tedford (20/02/1879 - /06/1879). Another sister was Lavinia Caroline Tedford (11/10/1871 - 1873). Charles and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 22/08/1914 and were part of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division. Charles is mentioned in the Medal Rolls for the Boer War and for his enlistment on the 01/01/1902. The same Service Number (7354) is listed. This makes Charles older than his stated age (see photos). Charles returned home to Portadown to enlist at the outbreak of war. Charles fell at the Battle of St. Julien, 24th April - 4th May 1915. This was a phase of the Battles of Ypres (22nd April - 25th May 1915). Often known as the Second Battle of Ypres, this began with surprise German attack using poison gas against French North African forces holding defences near Ypres. Both sides rushed reserves in and the Battle developed into the second epic in that area. British Second Army withdraws to a shorter line near Ypres. The "Faughs" had been ordered to recapture the small town of St. Julien on the 25th April 1915. Along with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, they attacked. It was futile. Charles was among the missing, and his body was never recovered. His Great Grandaughter Jane Tedford Stirling put her Great Grandfather's name forward for the Roll of Honour at the Tower of London "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red". Private Charles Tedford was honoured at the Tower on 16th October 2014. A huge thank you to Jane for information on her Great Grandfather. Very much appreciated. Charles is listed as LANCE CORPORAL on the Coatbridge Memorial. Charles' older brother Herbert also served and survived. Herbert's son was taken prisoner in Singapore in WW2 (see photos for Herbert's Medal Index Card, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his son James' photo and his Prisoner of War Card). Charles is also remembered on the Portadown War Memorial, the Lurgan and District Roll of Honour, Drumpellier United Free Church Roll of Honour and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Charles' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings, the Portadown War Memorial listing Charles x 5 (one of myself there taken on the 05/06/2021 by my good friend Jay Beattie). Charles' name on the Menin Gate Memorial x 2, Charles listed on the 1901 Ireland Census, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his Medal entitlement (South Africa) x 2, his Service Records x 16, Charles' Pension Records x 2 and the Royal Irish Fusiliers Cap Badge.