Charles Brownsey

Story:
Charles Brownsey was born in the final quarter of 1878 in Trent, Somerset. He was the son of George Brownsey, a Labourer, and Henrietta Celia Brownsey (née James). At the time of the 1901 Census he was single, working as bus driver and boarding out with a family in Winton, Christchurch, Hampshire. His mother died in 1905. By the 1911 Census he was working as a farm labourer and living with his sister's family at Horsedown Cottages, East Meon, near Petersfield, Hampshire. He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire and joined the 8th (City of London) Battalion of the Post Office Rifles (Service No. 8591). He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death held the rank of Rifleman. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 18th February 1917 and was buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. Enclosure No.4 I.E.13). He is remembered on the Ebbesbourne Wake War Memorial.