Charles Henry David Rhead

2^nd Lieutenant, London Regiment/Manchester Regiment

Charles Henry David Rhead was a student at Alleyn’s until 1906. After leaving school, he joined the Territorial Force and was called up for service after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914. After agreeing to serve overseas, he joined the war effort as part of the London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles). Charles served overseas on the Western Front as part of the Regiment’s Signal Section and saw action in France and Flanders from November 1914. On January 13^th 1916, he was still serving overseas when he was severely wounded in his back leg and arm by a shell. After a short spell in hospital, he made a full recovery from his injuries and re-joined his Regiment at the front where he received a promotion to Corporal. Shortly after this promotion, he was recommended for a commission and spent the next four months training as a Cadet. In October 1917, he received the rank of 2^nd Lieutenant and was attached to 2/7^th Manchester Regiment. Charles continued to serve on the Western Front with his new regiment until being killed in action on March 28^th 1918, a week after the launch of the German Spring Offensive. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial. For his service in the war, he received the 1914 Star, also known as the Mons Star, which was awarded to officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force who served in France or Belgium between August and November 1914.