MITCHELL, Charles James Marshall
| Service Number: | 6631 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 April 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Raymond Island, Victoria, Australia, 6 October 1894 |
| Home Town: | Trafalgar, Baw Baw, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Trafalgar Primary School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Teacher |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 10 August 1918, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France Daours Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot III, Row E, Grave No. 12), France, Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Daours, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Trafalgar War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 6631, 5th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 6631, 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Melbourne | |
| 10 Aug 1918: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 6631, 5th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 6631 awm_unit: 5 Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-08-10 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Kaye Brill
Charles James Marshall MITCHELL, son of Charles Bruce Mitchell and Mary Elizabeth Milne was born 6 October 1894 at Raymond Island, Paynesville, Victoria.
Charles was killed in action on the Somme, France on 10 August 1918, age 23.
Charles is buried at the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery, Daours Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot III, Row E, Grave No. 12), Daours, Somme Department, Hauts-de-France, France.
Charles was the second eldest in a family of nine children (6 boys and 3 girls)
Charles James Marshall Mitchell was known to family and friends as ‘Marshall’ and fondly as just ‘Marsh'
In 1894, work opportunities for Charles' father saw the family establish a home on Raymond Island, East Gippsland. In 1904 the family relocated to and established a home at Trafalgar which for many years remained the family residence.
Charles attended schools at Raymond Island, Yalunga, Yarragon and Trafalgar. Charles finished school after completing Year 6 at Trafalgar at age 12.
After leaving school and prior to 1915 Charles worked as both a farm labourer and private tutor.
Charles' sister, Elma Margaret, remembered Charles undertaking studies to become a teacher. Charles' occupation is recorded as ‘student’ on his 1915 Army enlistment record. The Yarragon State School teacher lists ‘Mitchell’ as one of five Head Teachers in their 1906-1918 school records – was this person Charles? Family believe it is but will probably never be confirmed.
Charles and his brothers were keen competitors in local Gippsland boxing and wrestling matches/tournaments.
Prior to enlisting in the Army, Charles was a member of the Citizen’s Force, Infantry (4 years) Passed Certificate School of Instruction, 3 months’ duty at training; Provisional Lieutenant.
Charles along with two of his brothers, Kenneth (Ken) George Robert Mitchell and Roy Richard Douglas Mitchell, enlisted in the Army during WW1. Charles enlisted in the Army about 12 months after his brothers, setting sail with the 5th Infantry Battalion on October 2, 1916 from Melbourne on HMAT Nestor. Only Ken and Roy returned to Australia; Charles was killed in action.
Charles enlisted in the Army much against his mother’s wishes as two of Mary's sons were already serving with the Australian Armed Forces in Europe. Charles' sister, Isabel Edith, remembered that in 1915 the Trafalgar, Moe and Traralgon local papers were running a campaign against young men ‘avoiding’ their duty. Isabel also recalled Charles received an envelope of white feathers delivered to him in the mail (a sign of cowardice)
Charles was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and Star medal for his service during WW1.
References:
Australian Army WWI Record, Service No. 6631
Yarragon School, 125 years’ celebration 1879-2004
Trafalgar and Yarragon Times
Australian Electoral Roll
Written by Kaye (granddaughter of Marshall’s sister Irene Alice Jane Mitchell)
Click images to start slideshow.