Trooper G. Maude

FIRST NAMES: Charles Gordon

UNIT: 2nd Life Guards

NUMBER: 3241

STATUS: Died

DATE OF DEATH: 13th January 1916

CEMETERY OR MEMORIAL: Lapugnoy Military Cemetery

AGE: 22


Gordon was born in Northallerton and was the only son of Charles and Sarah Maude of West House, Northallerton. He was actually a native of Melbourne, Australia. He was educated at Miss Nelson's private school and then at Coatham Grammar School. He passed the Cambridge Senior Local Examination and was appointed as a clerk in the Civil Service and was subsequently promoted to the Treasury Office. After a further two years he transferred to the Scottish Education Department.

This promising career was brought to an end when War broke out and Gordon enlisted in the Army. He served with "B" Squadron of the 2nd Life Guards and apart from a short leave in December 1914 he served in France continually until his death.

He died of pneumonia, aged 22, on 13th January 1916. No. 18 Casualty Clearing Station was stationed at Lapugnoy, near Bethune, at this time and so it seems likely that he died here and was buried in the cemetery which inevitably developed close to wherever wounded soldiers were treated.

In a letter to his family, his Company Commander said:

"He worked with a will, especially when there was real work to be done and was always cheerful under the most melancholy conditions. He was never very robust, but he was so keen that he always kept on going and several times I had to order him to go and see the Doctor and get some rest."