BORN HULL 1890. SON OF JOHN ESPIN (1849-1918) & ELIZABETH BOWES (1853-1922). HE HAD THREE BROTHERS AND FIVE SISTERS. HIS FATHER WAS EMPLOYED BY THE NORTH EASTERN RAILWAYS AS A RULLYMAN.
CHARLES JOINED THE NORTH EASTERN RAILWAYS ON 12/10/1907 AS A GOODS PORTER. APPOINTED AS A LAMP LIGHTER IN MARCH 1908, A SIGNAL LAD IN DECEMBER 1908 AND A RAILWAY GOODS PORTER, IN NOVEMBER 1912. HE WORKED AT THE WEST HULL RAILWAY DEPOT.
HE MARRIED IN HULL, ON 15/06/1913. HIS WIFE EDITH ANNIE TAYLOR (1893-1978) AND TWO CHILDREN, PHYLLIS AND CHARLES ERNEST ESPIN. THEY LIVED AT 4 GILBERT AVENUE, HALTEMPRICE STREET, HULL (ARMY ADDRESS) AND LATER 6 WAVERLEY TERRACE, VILLA PLACE.
HE ENLISTED IN THE “HULL PALS”, ON 23/11/1914. DESCRIBED AS 5 FOOT, 4 INCHES TALL, 34-36 INCH CHEST, 134 LBS WEIGH AND “GOOD” PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. SERVED IN EGYPT AND FRANCE, WITH THE 13TH EAST YORKSHIRE BATTALION. KILLED AT SERRE, ON 13/11/1916, AGED 26. HE HAD SERVED IN THE ARMY FOR 1 YEAR AND 357 DAYS. COMMEMORATED ON THE THIEPVAL MEMORIAL.
HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY MAGAZINE, WITH HIS PHOTOGRAPH.
HIS WIDOW WAS AWARDED A WEEKLY PENSION, OF 22 SHILLING AND 11 PENCE FOR HERESLF AND TWO CHILDREN FROM 09/07/1917.
HIS BROTHERS, JOSEPH HENRY ESPIN, ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY, LIVED AT 3 THIRLMERE AVENUE, WELLSTEAD STREET, HULL ; AND JOHN WILLIAM ESPIN , RGA, AT 53 DORSET STREET, HULL.
