Lieut Charles David Calcott

• Age: 23
• From: Shrewsbury, Salop
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 23rd April 1917
• Commemorated at: Rookery Brit Cem, Heninel
  Panel Ref: C.23

Charles David was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Atcham, Shrewsbury the son of Charles William Calcott and his wife Margaret (nee Jones). 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Betton Strange, Bretton, Atcham. He is recorded as David and is 7 years of age, the only child recorded and living with his parents. His father is a farmer born in Betton in 1844, whilst his mother was born in Shropshire in 1854. There are four servants listed at the property.    

Charles David attended Shrewsbury School leaving in 1910. 

The 1911 Census records the family at Betton Strange, Berrington. Both parents are in the household, his mother now listed as having been born in Montgomery, Llanmaes, alongside David now 17 and shown as a Farmer's assistant. There are 3 servants listed and two visitors. 

He enlisted in the Shropshire Yeomanry reaching the rank of Lance Corporal 1623 before he was commissioned to the 15th Battalion The King’s Liverpool Regiment. 

At some stage in either 1915 or 1916, he was transferred to the 18th Battalion, and was wounded in the attack on Montauban on 1st July 1916.He returned for duty in January 1917 and was present in the fighting around Arras in early April 1917. However he does not appear in the Battalion War Diary until the entry which concerns his death, which took place on 23rd April 1917.

On that day the Battalion had occupied old German Trenches at Henniel on the Arras sector of the front. In the evening, it moved to a sunken road to support an attack by the 18th and 19th Battalion’s of the Manchester Regiment. Elements of the Pals were to provide mopping up parties for both the Manchester Battalions, who were to move forward at 18.00pm. However, as the orders were not received until 17.45pm,it proved impossible to join the Manchester’s in time for their attack and the mopping up parties followed from where they presumed that the assaulting waves had left.

By this time, the German retaliatory barrage had begun, and the British Front Line was so heavily shelled, that the Battalion took up position in the shell holes in front. As the situation was chaotic, some troops on the right flank had begun to pullback, it was decided to withdraw to the British front line under cover of darkness to consolidate. Eventually, by morning the position became clearer, and the Battalion was able to move forward to occupy the old front line which had been vacated by the Germans, who had retired over the next crest.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing. Lieutenant Calcott was the only officer killed. He was aged twenty three.

He now rests at Rookery British Cemetery Heninel, France, Row C, Grave 23,

Heninel village was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division and the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Rookery British Cemetery (named from a group of trenches) was made by the 18th and 50th Division Burial Officers in April-June 1917 and used until November 1917. Two further burials were made in August 1918. The cemetery contains 55 First World War burials, one of which is unidentified.

After his death his parents endowed a bed to his memory at the Royal Shropshire Infirmary.

His Mother died in 1920 and his Father in 1929.

Charles David is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Shrewsbury School 

Sir Philip Sidney Statue (Old Salopians)

Berrington War Memorial 

Records show that Probate was granted to his father on 01/09/1917.

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