Captain Charles John Beech MASEFIELD MC "C" Coy. 1st/5th Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
Died 2 July 1917 aged 35
Son of John Richard Beech Masefield and Susan Masefield, husband of Muriel Agnes Masefield, of Lee Cottage, Charlbury, Oxon. Born at Cheadle, Staffs.
London Gazette dated 24 August 1917 - MC
2nd Lt. Charles John Beech Masefield, North Staffs Regt for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a raid upon enemy trenches, he lead his company with great dash and skill under heavy trench mortar barage, attacking a party of the enemy single handed and killing two of them at close quarters. At least 50 of the enemy were killed and 3 prisoners taken, after which he successfully withdrew his company, having shown conspicuous gallantry and good leadership throughout.
On 1 July 1917, Captain Masefield was wounded at Lens and died, aged 35, the following day.
At rest at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205023800
Commemorated on a family headstone at
Cheadle Cemetery, Staffordshire.
