L/Cpl 52130 Charles William Goodliffe Millhouse

• Age: 23
• From: Lincoln
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 29th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Charles William Goodliffe Millhouse was born in 1894 in Lincoln, the son of John and Mary Elizabeth (nee Simons) Millhouse, who married in 1893 in St Mary's Church, Mablethorpe, Lincoln. 

On the 1901 census the family are living at 28 Harcourt St, Stretford.

The father John is aged 35 a railway engine driver who was born in Horbling Fen, Lincs, and his wife Mary Elizabethaged 34 who was born in Mablethorpe, Lincs. They have four children Charles W.G. aged 6, Archie P. 5  and Kathleen M aged 3 who were all born in Lincoln, Doris Rose aged 2 was born in Stretford. Also visiting at the time of the census is Mary's sister Ellen Simons 25.  

On the 1911 census the family have moved to 11 North Lonsdale St, Stretford.

The father John is aged 45 a railway engine driver, and wife Mary Elizabeth aged 44 has no occupation listed. They have been married for 17 years and have five children, Charles William Goodliffe, aged 16 is a commercial clerk for the Co-Op, Archie P. 15 a wood pattern apprentice, Kathleen M. 13 at school, and Doris R. 12 at school, and John C. aged 6 is at school.

He enlisted in Manchester and was formerly 2708, Manchester Regiment and was serving in the 19^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Lance-Corporal No 52130 when he was killed in action on the 29^th April 1918 aged 23 during the German Spring Offensive.

The Battalion diary entry for the day gives an insight into the events of the day. 

29 April 1918 

A 3 a.m. the Enemy opened up a very heavy Bombardment of High explosive and Gas shells on our covering Artillery and at 6 a.m.. launched a powerful attack , smothering our outpost line, but failing to pierce the Battalion front, being repulsed with heavy loss. At 8 a.m. the Enemy again attacked but was repulsed. Many Casualties were caused to him during the day, as numbers of the enemy were picked off as they endeavoured to get back to their own lines.

Casualties were Capt E B Hough Killed, 2nd Lt W. Munro Killed and 12 Other Ranks Killed, 28 Wounded and 13 Other Ranks missing"

Charles has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Manchester Evening News 24th May 1918

MILLHOUSE - In honoured and loving memory of Signaller CHARLES W. G. MILLHOUSE, King's Liverpool's who fell in action, April 29, 1918.

He gave his life, his best, his all,

His duty nobly done.

From his sorrowing FATHER and MOTHER, BROTHERS and SISTERS (PERCY serving), 11 North-Lonsdale Street, Stretford.

MILLHOUSE - In loving memory of Signaller C. W. G. MILLHOUSE, King's Liverpools who fell in action, April 29, 1918.

In the bloom of youth God took him,

In the pride of his manhood days,

None knew him but to love him,

None mention his name but with praise.

From ETHEL and JAMES, Levenshulme.

MILLHOUSE - In honoured and loving memory of Signaller CHARLES W. G. MILLHOUSE, King's Liverpool Regt. who fell in action, April 29, 1918.

There is a link death cannot sever,

Love and remembrance last forever.

From his sorrowing fiance FLORENCE, 28 Clyne Street, Old Trafford.

MILLHOUSE - in loving memory of Signaller CHARLES W. G. MILLHOUSE, K.L.R., who fell in action, April 29, 1918.

A good life is often too short,

But a good name endureth for ever.

Deeply mourned by Mr and Mrs J. BECKETT, 28 Clyne Street, Old Trafford.

Manchester Evening News 9th Dec 1918

MILLHOUSE - Mr and Mrs and family wish to thank all relatives and friends for their kind letters of sympathy and Floral Tributes during their sad bereavement 11 North Lonsdale Street Stretford

Soldiers Effects to father John, Pension to mother Mary Eliz.

Probate Charles William Goodliffe Millhouse 11 North-Lonsdale Street, Stretford, L-Cpl 19/KLR died 29th April 1918. Admin Manchester 13th Feb 1919 to John Millhouse railway engine driver. Effects £158 8s 4d.

Father John, aged 75, 11 North-Lonsdale Street, Stretford died on the 26th Aug 1940. Probate Manchester 11th Nov to Mary Elizabeth Millhouse widow. Effects £1224 1s 10d.

Mother Mary Elizabeth, aged 80, 11 North-Lonsdale Street, Stretford died on the 13th Dec 1947. Admin. Manchester 29th Jan 1948 to John Charles Millhouse chartered secretary. Effects £1228 1s 1d.

We currently have no further information on Charles William Goodliffe Millhouse, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.