246071 2nd Lt. Charles Abercrombie McGavin British Army 18th Btn Hampshire Regiment from:Essex (d.24th Nov 1917) One of seven children, Charles McGavin was born in West Ham in 1875, the son of Jamima, a widow who was born in Calcutta and had returned home. On 7th May 1896 at age 21 Charles was certified as a second mate on a foreign ship in the merchant service. On 24th Jan 1902 he was again certified and promoted to first mate now aged 27. In 1909 he married Elizabeth Spreadborough and by 1911 was living at 132 Charlton Lane, Charlton, Kent and is the father of Charles John born c1909 and Lora Bertha born c1911. His occupation according to the 1911 census is that of an Officer in the Mercantile Marine. At the outbreak of WW1 Charles enlisted in the Army and was sent to Winchester where he joined the 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps as A/626 Rfn McGavin. It is assumed that due to his experience in the merchant service he was found to be suitable for a technical role and eventually ended up within the Signals section of the Btn achieving the rank of Sjt. Following deployment to France in May 1915 with the Battalion, on 6th of November 1915, Sjt McGavin was given a commission to 2nd Lt and transferred to 18th Btn Hampshire Regiment, a home service Battalion. At some point during his time with the Hampshire's 2nd Lt McGavin found himself attached to 5th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps and it was whilst carrying out his duties with the 5th that he died on 24th Nov 1917 aged 42.
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