Born Hull 1879. Private, Charles Button, 1st West Yorkshire Regiment, died of war injuries on 03/07/1924, at 32, Stanley Street, Hull (War Pension Ledger Address). He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 30th June 1915, for rescuing a wounded man 200 yards from the German Trench and carrying him back under fire, through a long ditch full of water. He was wounded in the hip and wrist. He had previously been recommended for the medal six times (Hull Daily Mail 29 July 1915).
He was a army reservist, who enlisted on 15/05/1913 and posted to France, on 24/09/1914. His army records describe him as 5 foot, 6.5 inches tall, 38 inch chest, 34 inch waist, 22 inch helmet, grey eyes, light brown hair. He was mobilized on 05/08/1914. He was charged with being absent from duty, breaking out of barracks, being drunk and in charge of rum. Punished with ten days detention, on 14/09/1914 and 28 days, Field Punishment No:1, on 11/11/1914. While at the front he was tried and convicted of being drunk in the trenches and desertion between 28/02/1915 and 07/03/1915. His one years sentence was commuted to two months Field Punishment No:1. on account of his good service in action. Awarded the DCM, but his drunk and disorderly behaviour continued, ie urinating in the Guard room, overstaying his pass, absent from tattoo, and drunk conduct on leave.
He was promoted to Corporal and Lance Sergeant, but lost his stripes. He was later transferred to as Private, 44494, Machine Gun Corps. He was in hospital again in 11/06/1918.
His parents Thomas and Jane Button, lived at 78, Argyll Street, Hull. He worked as a carter, for Messrs, Wilkinson’s of Pulman Street and then for the National Radiator Works, Hull. He resided at 42, Goodwin Street, Hull, before the war. His army pension went to his father when he died.
