Born Hull 13/02/1894. Eldest son of Robert Foster Backwell(1865-1947) and Maria Brader (1870-1915), of 43, Haworth Street, Beverley Road, Hull (CWGC address). Son of a Provisions Merchant (1911 Census). He had one sister, Gladys (1892-1945) and one younger brother, Bernard Backwell, born in 1896. He was educated at Hull Hymers College. In business life he worked for Messrs. Hudson, Smith & Co Ltd, Hull
He enlisted at Hull in September 1914. Served with the 1st Hull Pals, as Private 10/256 with 1oth East Yorkshire Regiment (the “Hull Commercials”). Posted to Egypt on 22/12/1915 and then to France in March 1916. According to the London Gazette, Lance-Corporal C.W. Backwell of the East Yorkshire Regiment was commissioned as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant on probation with the Lancashire Fusiliers on 2 January 1917. Transferred to the 20th Lancashire Fusiliers and attached to, “X” Section, 35th Trench Mortar Battery, at the time of his death.
He had been at the front for sixteen months and had been in Hull on leave in January 1917. He was killed whilst leading his men through a barrage. He was aged 23 and unmarried. Buried at Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile, France. His grave inscription reads:- “IN SWEET AND UNFADING MEMORY”.
His death and photograph were reported in the Hull Daily Mail on 3rd July 1917. * He left £1,770 in his will to his father, Robert, at this Probate address. According to his medal index card, Charles just qualified for the 1914-15 Star, first entering a theatre of war on 22 December 1915, while serving as a private (with service number 10/256) with the East Yorkshire Regiment in Egypt. His medals were applied for by his father, Robert, in October 1920. Robert had moved to 67 Queens Road, Hull, by 12/11/1920.
Charles William Backwell was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
