Charles Fitton was born in 1897 to William and Clara Fitton. He was born in Conisbrough and in 1901 is living at 6 Burcroft Hill. The family were all ‘round glassworkers; William hailed from Kilnhurst and worked as a Glass Bottle Blower at the Glassworks. Charles’ mother Clara was born in Catcliffe, and she and William had five children together; Charles was the youngest, having four elder brothers. Charles’ eldest brothers Joseph and Harry also both worked at the Glassworks as bottle gatherers.

Sadly, William died in 1904 at the age of 44 however Clara went on to have another child; this time a daughter, May who was born in 1906. In 1911, Joseph is now a glass blower, as is third son William who is by this time 20 years old. Charles, who is just 14 is already working as a ‘Taker in the Glass Works’. The family are still living at 6 Burcroft Hill.

Charles was around 20 years old when he was killed in October 1917. He was the youngest son of Clara Fitton, who was aged 56 and widowed when Charles signed up. He had four elder brothers Joseph, Harry, George and William, who ranged from the age of 35 to 28 and a younger sister Mary, who was 13 years old. Apart from George who lived at No. 2 Ferry Terrace the entire family lived at No. 6 Burcroft Hill.

At time of attestation in May 1915, Charles was 19 years and 8 months old and his papers show him still working as a Glass Blower at Kilner Brothers, Denaby. His next of kin is his mother, Clara. Charles stood 5 feet 8 ¾ inches tall, and weighed 130lb (9stone 4lb). He was in reserve as a Private of the York and Lancaster Regiment, 1/5th Battalion from 25th November 1915 until 6th May 1917, and was posted to ‘France’ on 2nd August 1917, just a few weeks before his death.

Charles’ casualty sheet has only three entries; he joined the battalion in late August 1917, was reported missing on the 9th October, and on the 19th November, was reported ‘Killed in action or died of wounds on or after 9/10/17’. Charles had gone missing, and after a period of time, when he was not found, was presumed dead. His mother received notification of his death on 20th December 1917, just before Christmas.

The only possession which Charles had on his person and which was returned to his mother Clara in April 1918 was a photograph. In November 1920 Clara took receipt of Charles’ medals; he was awarded the British War and Victory medals.