Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Charles Frederick Woodbridge (845)

03/04/1866 –20/01/1933

Warrant officer in the Indian Army; served as a clerk in WW I

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 845 Charles Frederick Woodbridge (1866-1933)

Charles was born 3 April 1866 in Birmingham to Jane and Joseph Woodbridge. His father was a coachbuilder. He was baptised in St Thomas, Birmingham 26 August 1866.

He had scarlet fever as a child.

The 1881 census shows that young Charles had become a coach smith and was living with his older brother William, a coach builder, and his wife, in Sherbourne Road, King’s Norton, Worcestershire.

Charles joined the British Indian Army 21 August 1890 in the Supply and Transport Corps and achieved the rank of Conductor. Unfortunately the available records do not give the dates of his postings or when he actually left the Indian Army. The rank of Conductor “is said to be the highest non-commissioned in the British Army other than the Academy Sergeant Major at Sandhurst.” (The Families In British India Society (FIBIS)).

“The British Indian Army, was the main military force of the British Indian Empire until national independence in 1947. Formed in 1895 by uniting the three Presidency armies, it was responsible for the defence of both the British Raj and the princely states, which could also have their own armies. As stated in the Imperial Gazetteer of India, the “British Government has undertaken to protect the dominions of the Native princes from invasion and even from rebellion within: its army is organized for the defence not merely of British India, but of all possessions under the suzerainty of the King-Emperor.”” (Wikipedia)

Medal records in the National Archives include the China Medal for a Sargent Charles Woodbridge in the Supply & Transport Corps. This was issued to British and Indian land and sea troops who served during the Boxer Rebellion, between 10 June and 31 December 1900 and the Indian Army was heavily engaged, which means that Charles was probably involved in this brutal and highly controversial conflict.

21 June 1906 he was initiated into “Lodge Kyber” of the Peshawur Freemasons. The membership appears to be entirely Army and Charles was a Sub-Conductor.

Charles married Ethel Lucas 25 September 1911 in Holy Trinity, Aldershot. He was  45 and she was 40. His address at the time was The Union Jack Club, London, a club for military personnel. He gave his occupation as Warrant Officer, Indian Army.

Charles and Ethel must have sailed for India almost immediately after the wedding as on 1 January 1912 he is listed in the Indian Army Quarterly List as a warrant officer with the Supply and Transport Corps, Bengal.

Joan Margaret was born 15 September 1912 Dagshai, India.

They had returned to Englnad by the time Frederick Harold was born in Aldershot in 1915. In May that year when he was baptised the family lived at “Dinorbin”, Hale, Surrey.

On 27 May 1915 Charles enlisted in the Army Service Corps. He was almost 50 and described as a pensioner. He was 5 foot 8 ½ inches tall.

Charles embarked for France with the British Expeditionary Force 20 November 1915. He served as a clerk until he returned to England 2 March 1916 was discharged as physically unfit 25 September 1916. He had developed bronchitis as a result of active service and was diagnosed with Bright’s disease, a form of kidney disease. His discharge papers describe him as an “honest, sober and reliable clerk.” He was granted a pension of £100pa for life. (Just over £7,500 in 2025).

In 1921 Charles and Ethel lived at Park View, St Ives, Ringwood, Hampshire but at some point moved to Berkhamsted.

Charles died 20 January 1933 aged 66 at “Roseneath”, Charles Street. The Bucks Examiner for 27 January reported that his death had occurred “with tragic suddenness… Mr Woodbridge had been in normal health up to the day of his death which was caused by heart failure.”

Ethel, Joan and Frederick moved to Esher.