Charles Baldwin Drury Wake
Second Lieutenant, King's Royal Rifles Corps, 6th Battalion attd. 2nd Battalion
Killed in action on 25 September 1918, aged 19
CSGC: "Son of Admiral Sir Drury St. Aubyn Wake and Lady (Edith) Wake, of 78, Victoria Rd., Clapham Common, London. Educated at Rugby School (head of his house), Scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford."
Remembered at Bellicourt British Cemetery, Aisne, France; at Courteenhall War Memorial, Northamptonshire and on an alabaster plaque inside the church of St Peter and St Paul, Courteenhall.
Information from the 1911 census
Charles Wake, an only child, is registered as an 11-year-old boarder Box Grove School, a prep school in Box Grove Road, Guildford. He was born at Weymouth, Dorset.
His father, Drury St Aubyn Wake, then 47, a Royal Navy captain, was on board the Prince George. Drury was born in Courteenhall, Northamptonshire.
His mother, Edith Rose Mary Wake, 47, was at the family's 13-roomed house at 78 Victoria Road, Clapham. She was from Clifton, Bristol.
Also in the Clapham household were Edith's mother, Henrietta Wansbrough Boyce, 83, born in Weston, near Bristol; and two servants: Mary Ann Ellis, 46, a single domestic cook from Camberwell, and Alice Rose Bicknell, 22, a single parlourmaid born in Dorking, Surrey.
British Army Service Records (National Archives)
"Quite the right type and should do well"
Charles Baldwin Drury Wake, an only child, enlisted 20 June 1917, after leaving Rugby School. A. A. David, headmaster of Rugby, attested to his moral character, and his father endorsed the application.
By 4 January 1918 he had joined his unit.
A confidential report of 31 May 1918 on his qualities describes the standard of his education as "excellent"; his military knowledge "very good"; his power of command and leadership as "very fair". His ability to speak French was noted under Special Qualifications. Under Remarks the Lieutenant Colonel wrote: "Quite the right type and should do well."
Effects (14 October 1918)
1 electric torch
1 cigarette case
1 case of playing cards
1 A.B. 439
1 leather wallet
1 pair of spectacles and case
1 fountain pen
1 lanyard and whistle
1 A.F.B. 2079
Cards etc
Gelatine lamels
2 note books
1 rule in case
1 calendar
80 francs (forwarded to command cashier)
Born 29 June 1899. Able to ride.
Rugby School OTC contingent (sergeant)
5 feet 8 half inches
127 pounds
Chest 34 3/4 inches
Expansion 2 3/4 inches
Glasses
Will was probated: Gross value £750 13s 3d
Medals desposed to his mother
2 June 1920 his father wrote enquiring about the gratuity payment:
78 Victoria Road, Clapham Common
Sir
Referring to your 215198/2 accounts 4/ for W.G.O of 19th May 1919 in reply to my letter asking for information as to the gratuity due to my son, I received a sum of £5 a short while after stating that that was the amount due to him for "service in the ranks". He was gazetted 2nd Lieut in the KRRC on 26th June 1918 and went to France on August 19th and was killed on Sept 25th at Pont??? (St Quentin). I am informed by other temporary 2nd Lieuts that a further gratuity of approximately £62 is due to him. Will be good enough to inform me if this is correct and whether I should apply for it now. I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient servant Drury St A. Wake Rear Admiral From Rear Admiral Sir Drury St. A. Wake, KCIE CB
To The Secretary War Office Whitehall SW1