2nd Lieutenant Charles Michael LORING
2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Date of birth: 11th August 1899
Date of death: 3rd September 1916

Killed in action aged 17
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 9
Charles Michael Loring was born at Ilex Cottage, Doddington, Crewe in Cheshire on the 11th of August 1899 the son of John Loring, a land agent, and Annette Julia (nee Royds) Loring of “The Cottage” Doddington, Nantwich in Cheshire.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until July 1913 where he was a member of the Cricket XI in 1911, 1912 and 1913 and of the Football XI in 1911 and 1912. The school magazine wrote the following of his 1911 cricket season: - "Wretched field; "funks"; promising bowler for next year; does not listen to coaching at present, and has no idea of batting."

Of his 1912 cricket season they wrote: - "Is a much better bat than the score sheet would suggest; his bowling has been a great asset, his "yorkers" working great havoc; a sound fieldsman."

They wrote of his 1913 cricket season: - "A fast bowler with a fine action. When his strength can keep pace with his growth he may turn into a really fine bowler. A free, hard hitting bat with a fine drive, but not sound. Has learnt to exercise discretion and has greatly improved."

They wrote the following of his 1911 football season: - "(Outside left) - An extraordinary blend of excellence and blundering ineffectiveness; makes capital use of his head, and puts in the most telling centres, but is destitute of elusive skill and has not yet learnt to employ his right foot."

Of his 1912 football season they wrote: - "(Outside left) - Would seem to have somewhat outgrown his strength; his dribbling is still innocent of guile, but his foes have learnt to dread his accurate "middle"; uses his head well and kicks a capital "corner"."

On leaving the school the magazine wrote the following of him: - "Another great sportsman, and a most loyal, genial and loveable fellow. The beginning of his career here gave little promise of what was to come. All the more honour to one who by steady endeavour in school and out won the ever growing respect of us all. Cricket and football elevens, a very useful adjunct to the choir, and ever ready to help others and to do them a good turn."

He went on to Bradfield College from September 1913 to December 1914 where he was a member of the 2nd Cricket XI in 1914.

Following the outbreak of war he enlisted as Private 2534 in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps at 10 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn on the 31st of December 1914. At a medical examination, which was held on the same day, it was recorded that he was 6 feet tall. He was assigned to F Company and sent for training at Berkhamstead. On the 15th of March 1915 he applied for a commission, in an application in which gave the year of his birth as 1897, and he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment on the 31st of March 1915. After further training he was posted to the 2nd Battalion of his regiment and he embarked for France on the 21st of July 1916 and joined his battalion in the field at Yzeux on the 2nd of August 1916.

The 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment was detailed to support an attack by their Brigade (22nd) to capture the village of Ginchy on the Somme. They had just had two days rest and made ”their way to the front line over ground torn by shell fire and slippery from rain.” At 7am on the 3rd of September 1916 A and B Companies took positions in the assembly trench with C and D Companies in support in "Folly" Trench. The lead units went over the top at zero hour which was set at midday. Soon after 12.30 things were reported to be "going well” with between thirty and forty German prisoners being sent back to Brigade Headquarters. By 1pm several reports said that the lead battalions had captured Ginchy and were consolidating. In reality the Royal Welch Fusiliers had managed to establish a toe hold on the western outskirts of the village and three companies of the Royal Warwicks moved up in support. At 1.45pm a runner from D Company reported that they had been held up by machine gun fire and were digging in. At around the same time another runner arrived at Battalion Headquarters to report that A, B and C Companies had reached their objective and were also digging in. Casualties for the attack were three officers killed, two officers missing believed wounded and five wounded with thirty three other ranks killed or died of wounds, one hundred and ninety seven wounded and ninety missing.

Later in the afternoon an attempt to push further into Ginchy by the 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment was repulsed by a German counterattack. The Royal Warwicks checked the counterattack with fire from their Lewis Guns and held their positions for the following two nights.

A report said that Charles Loring had died “while leading his men very coolly and gallantly in difficult circumstances.”

His father received the following telegram dated the 11th of September 1916:-

"Deeply regret to inform you that 2 Lt C.M. Loring 2 Royal Warwicks was killed in action 3 September. the Army Council express their sympathy."
Went on to Bradfield College

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