King Edward’s School and the Great War

Charles Paul Mansell, born on 9th February 1893, was admitted to King Edward’s School in January 1905 and was awarded a Foundation Scholarship in 1907. He lived with his parents, Charlotte and Charles, a tyre merchant, his brother, Walter, and his sister, Charlotte, at 126, Wentworth Road, Harborne (and later at 58, Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston). Walter, also an Old Edwardian, served with the South Staffordshire Regiment, reaching the rank of Acting Captain; he was wounded twice and died of wounds at Étaples on 16th April 1918.

At School, Charles was in the same class as other high-flyers, including the Headmaster’s son, RQ Gilson, and also RS Payton and S Barrowclough, all friends and contemporaries of JRR Tolkien. He also dabbled in swimming and athletics, one year winning the one length Over 14 race with a time of 29 2/5ths seconds; he was, however, the only contestant. In 1906, he won the third heat of the Under 15 100 yards race, but later lost the final to his brother Walter. After School, he held an appointment with the Dunlop Rubber Company, and was also a member of his local tennis club.

In 1914, Charles enlisted as a Private Soldier in the 1st Birmingham Pals Battalion (14th Royal Warwickshire Regiment), with many of his schoolfellows. He gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps the following year, and transferred to the 16th Battalion, RWR, a few months later. He was killed at the Battle of Guillemont on 3rd September 1916, aged twenty-three, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. At the time of his death, Charles’ brother, Walter, was suffering from trench fever and severe influenza at the 14th Hospital, Lichfield.