Charles Edwin Coward

Story:
Charles Edwin Coward was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 10 Feb 1892 and was baptised there on 24 Apr 1892 the son of James Coward and Mary Jane Coward (nee Miles).   He spent all his life except for Military Service in Motcombe, Dorset.  He enlisted and served with the 1/5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 242120).  He later transferred to the 2/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200153) eventually being promoted to Acting Warrant Office Class II.  It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge on 2 Jul 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.   At the time of the 1921 Census he was living in The Street, Motcombe, working as an Under Carter on Lord Stalbridges' estate.   Shortly after the Census he married Hilda Mabel Archer in Motcombe, Dorset, on 31 Jul 1921.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 40 The Street, Motcombe, Dorset, working as a Cutter and Dresser in a Bacon Factory as well as volunteering as an ARP Warden.  His died in Motcombe in 1971. Charles brothers Harold (b.1893) and Victor (b.1897) also served with the Dorsets during the war. Sadly Harold in Mesopotamia in 1917.