Roy Charlton

Story:
Roy Charlton was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 8th April 1891 and baptised there on 10th May 1891, the son of Henry Charlton, a local schoolmaster, and Abigail Charlton (née Howell).  He lived his early life in Donhead St. Andrew and received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, leaving in 1907.  By the 1911 Census he was boarding at 44 Hudson Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, where he was working as a Bank Clerk with the National Provincial Bank.   He enlisted with the 1/6th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 1972 & 280624).  On the 18th April 1915 he was promoted to Lieutenant and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment.  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  Whilst still serving in the forces he married Ethel Mary Wintle at Dursley, Gloucestershire, on 11th July 1917.  The 1921 Census shows him living in Pine Close, Charminster Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, still with the National Provincial Bank as a Checking Clerk. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Barford', Salisbury Road, Swanage, Dorset, where he was now a Bank Manager and also as a Volunteer Special Constable.  He died on 7 Jan 1967 in Poole, Dorset.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Roy served and the date and term in which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1915
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918