Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Charles Henry Glaire -

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, September 11, 1914 Page 4

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. - Several Ventnor families have received letters from relatives at the front, among them being Mrs. Glaire, whose husband is attached to the Hants Regiment with the Expeditionary Force, and Mr. and Mrs. Wightman, of High Street, whose son is in the 1st Life Guards.

Friday, September 25, 1914 Page 1

It is currently reported in the town that a son of Mrs. C. Steele, of St Lawrence, who is with the Expeditionary Force, has had his hand shattered in an engagement, and was afterwards taken a prisoner by the Germans. Pte. C. Glaire, of the Hampshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Glaire, of Upper Ventnor, has been sent to Netley suffering from a serious wound received at the battle of the Marne.

Friday, October 2, 1914 Page 1

Pte. C. Glaire, of the Hants Regiment, continues to make satisfactory progress in Netley Hospital. He was wounded during the five days' battle of the Marne, being shot through the chest. The bullet was removed from the proximity of the spine after a serious operation. Friends and relatives who have visited him report that he has borne the operation courageously, but is still in a very weak state. Ptes. J. Salter, G. Morris and W. Wyke, of Ventnor, were in the fighting line with Pte. Glaire. Before he was called up to rejoin the colours, Pte.Glaire was appointed steward of the Lowtherville Unionist Club, of which he is secretary. This week, several members of the Club loyally undertook the removal of his furniture to the Club premises. The secretarial duties of the Club are being capably carried out in his absence by Mr. Frank Guy.

Friday, October 9, 1914 Page 4

We hear that Pte. Glaire (Hants Regiment), of Upper Ventnor, who is in Netley Hospital suffering from wounds received at the Battle of the Mons still lies in a dangerous condition.

Friday, October 16, 1914 Page 1

There has been a further local bereavement as a result of the war by the death which took place at Netley Hospital on Saturday last of Pte. C. Glaire, of the Hants Regiment, as the outcome of wounds received from shrapnel at the Battle of Mons. Pte. Glaire had been a respected and reliable employee at Knight's Library for many years, and in his leisure did a great deal of useful work for the Lowtherville Unionist Club, of which he was recently appointed caretaker. The funeral on Wednesday brought forth striking evidence of public sympathy with the widow and her little girl, and other members of the family in their severe and painful loss. Their sorrow, we trust, will be lightened by the feeling that Pte. Glaire gave his life for his country and that his name will be an imperishable memory in Ventnor's "roll of honour." The funeral brought together a very large concourse of people desirous of showing their sympathy in the sad occurrence. Crowds gathered at the house, and along the route to the cemetery, and heads were reverently bared as the imposing military precession passed. The members of the Lowtherville Unionist Club feel the great loss of their colleague deeply, and they, together with representatives of the Lower and Upper Ventnor Liberal Clubs, and our Chief Magistrate, Mr. Cater, were in the procession. The solemn music of the band, the slow marching of the troops, and of the firing party with arms reversed, all contributed to a spectacle as imposing as it was unusual in the annals of Ventnor.

Page 5

MRS. GLAIRE AND FAMILY desire to thank all friends for kind enquiries and the many expressions of sympathy they have received in their bereavement. It is impossible to answer the many letters received individually, and they would ask all friends to accept by these means their warmest thanks.

Page 5

Ventnor Man Dies from Wounds received in Action.

On Saturday the death took place at Netley Military Hospital of Private Charles Glaire, of the 1st Battalion Hants Regiment, a native of Ventnor, who was very well known in the town. Pte. Glaire was a reservist, and was called to the colours at the outbreak of war. After a few weeks passed at Winchester, Colchester and other places, his company was sent to the front, and almost immediately on arrival took its place in the fighting line. The advance of the British on the left wing was in progress, and it was during the bombardment of the trenches near Soissons that Private Glaire was struck by shrapnel, one of the bullets entering the upper part of his chest, and being deflected downwards towards the spine. He remained in the trenches for 36 hours without food or water, and it was several days before his wounds received adequate medical attention. As soon as possible he was brought to England, and he laid in Netley Hospital for several weeks. An operation resulted in the extraction of the bullet, but Glaire was in a very weak and depressed state. He seemed to improve for a day or so, but it was known a few days before his death that he was in a very serious condition. On Saturday a turn for the worse occurred, and death followed the same day. His relatives were informed by telegram of the very sad occurrence. Glaire leaves a widow and a little girl about two-and-a-half years old. His parents have resided at Upper Ventnor for several years. The news caused much grief in the town, especially among the members of the Lowtherville Conservative Club, the Secretarial duties of which Glaire took over shortly before his departure to join his Regiment. Some few weeks ago he was appointed steward of the Club.

The Funeral

Deceased was given the full honours associated with a military funeral on Wednesday afternoon, the event drawing forth unusual evidences of public sympathy and regard. It was, we understand, the first instance in local history of a soldier who had been wounded in action being brought to Ventnor for burial. The remains were conveyed from Netley Hospital on Tuesday, under the superintendence of Mr. T. Brading, who carried out the funeral arrangements. Unfortunately heavy rain made the conditions exceedingly unpleasant, but this notwithstanding, crowds assembled in the vicinity of the Lowtherville Unionist Club and along the line of route. The cemetery was wisely closed to the public until the funeral procession had entered. Then it was literally besieged with people who stood in the torrential downpour, reverent spectators of an imposing and touching ceremony. Members of the 4th and 5th Hants Battery of the Wessex Howitzer Brigade R.F.A. and the Isle of Wight Rifles were drawn up outside the Club. Through these the funeral procession passed and the troops afterwards fell in at the rear. They were under the command of Lieutenant Elderton (*) of the Warwickshire Regiment. A band from the Hants Regiment stationed at Newport attended, and a firing party from the same regiment was also present. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack and Pte. Glaire's cap, belt and bayonet rested upon it.
(followed by a list of mourners)
The bearer party was supplied by the Howitzer Battery. On the way to the Cemetery the Band played Beethoven's and Chopin's Funeral marches to the accompaniment of muffled drums, the solemn music being very impressive. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. A. Havergal Shaw. Space could only be found in the Cemetery Church for the principal mourners and a few immediate friends. The troops formed up around the grave, and after the committal prayer had been read the "Last Post" was sounded by buglers, and three volleys were discharged over the open grave. The firing party then fixed bayonets and stood at the "present" while the band played a verse of "On the Resurrection Morning." Battery Sergt.-Major Geddes gave the words of command at the graveside, and the firing party responded with precision. Hundreds of people then had a last look at the coffin, the plate of which bore the inscription: "Charles Glaire, Died October 10th, 1914 Aged 32." It would be impossible to give a complete list of those present at the funeral. The crowds were greater along the line of route than at the Cemetery. Hundreds accompanied the precession to the Cemetery gates, and then left on account of the downpour. The arrangements were exceedingly well managed by the military authotrities. Miss Nicholson (the local president) represented the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association. Private Glaire has gone to his last account full of honour if not full of years. During his stay at the front he was in a battle lasting five days. After terrible suffering and hardship he now lies in a grave but a few hundred yards from his old home. The last sad rites made a deep impression on all present, but the thought of Kipling's well known lines emerged as one witnessed the final scene - "Who dies while England lives." A whole carriage was required for the conveyance of the wreaths to the cemetery. The Lowtherville Club sent a very pretty everlasting wreath and that sent from the ladies of the club was made of flowers of patriotic colours. There were several beautiful wreaths and floral tributes, the following being a list as far as we could obtain them: -
(followed by a list of floral tributes)

A meeting of the Committee of the Lowtherville Liberal Club was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Mr. Frank Russell. A vote of condolence was passed with the widow and relatives of the late Private Glaire, and the Secretary was instructed to send a letter of sympathy to the Unionist Club in the loss of their Secretary. Several members of the Club also attended the Funeral to show their respect and esteem for the gallant soldier.

At a meeting of the Local War Relief Committee on Wednesday the Chairman (Mr. J.N. Cater, J.P.) proposed that votes of condolence be sent to Mrs. Glaire and family, Mrs. C. Colenutt, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Symmans, of Upper Ventnor, in the losses they have respectively sustained in the deaths of relatives owing to the war.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 30, 1914 Page 5

In Memoriam
---
PTE. CHARLES GLAIRE, DIED OCT. 10, 1914
---
He heard his country's call, and he, brave heart,
Loyally responded, and mid shot and shell
Helped to repulse the savage foe's advance
Till, with a mortal wound - he paused and fell.
Thus nobly did he fight - and nobly died -
Giving his life to thwart the vicious Hun,
And peacefully he passed to his reward,
Content to hear his Master's glad "Well done!"

I. J.

(I.J. is possibly Miss Innell Jolliffe who had several poems published in the Isle of Wight Mercury)

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 8, 1915 Page 5

IN MEMORIAM.
GLAIRE. - In loving memory of Charles Glaire, the beloved husband of Alice Glaire, who died on October 10th, 1914, of wounds received at the battle of the Marne. Sadly missed by his wife and little daughter.

'Tis a year ago you left us,
Some may think the wound had healed,
But they little know my aching heart,
For the voice I loved so stilled.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 13, 1916 Page 5

IN MEMORIAM
GLAIRE. - In loving memory of Charles Glaire, the dearly beloved husband of Alice Glaire, who died on Oct. 10th, 1914, of wounds received in the Battle of the Marne.
Dear is the spot where my dear husband lays,
Dear is the memory that never will fade,
Flowers may wither, leaves cease to be,
Others may forget him, but never shall we.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 12, 1917 Page 2

IN MEMORIAM.
In loving memory of Charles Henry Glaire, the beloved husband of Alice Glaire, who died of wounds received at the battle of the Marne, October 10th, 1914.

He nobly rose to his Country's call,
Gave his best, his life, his all,
For King and Country he laid down his life,
He fell a hero in the deadly strife.

Sadly missed by his wife and little daughter, Grace.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 18, 1918 Page 2

IN MEMORIAM
GLAIRE. - In ever loving memory of Charles Henry Glaire, the beloved husband of Alice Glaire, and daddy of Little Grace, who died on October 10th, 1914, of wounds he received at the battle of the Marne.

We think of him in Silence
No eyes to see us weep,
But treasured in our inmost hearts
His memory we keep.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 10, 1919 Page 2

IN MEMORIAM
GLAIRE. - In ever loving memory of Charles Henry Glaire, the beloved husband of Alice Glaire and daddy of Little Grace, who died on October 10th, of wounds received at the Battle of the Marne.
We often think of the days gone by
When we were all together,
A shadow o'er our life is cast
Our dear one gone for ever.

His King and Country called him,
The call was not in vain,
In Ventnor's Roll of Honour
You will find dear Charlie's name.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 10, 1920 Page 2

IN MEMORIAM
GLAIRE. - In loving memory of Charles Henry Glaire, the beloved husband of Alice Glaire, who died on October 10th, 1914, of wounds received at the Battle of Marne.
Years may wipe out many things,
But this they'll wipe out never,
There is a link death cannot sever
Sweet remembrance lasts forever.
Only those who have loved and lost
Understand war's bitter cost.