Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

The son of a Yorkshire station master, Charles Campbell Shippin was born in Bubwith, near Selby in 1895 to parents John James and Frances (nee Metcalfe).  Following his father’s death in 1909, the family moved to Hartlepool and in 1911 the family were living with their mother, Frances at 4 Wilson Street, West Hartlepool.  His two older brothers, Herbert (25) and William (22) were railway clerks and Charles (15) was a civil engineers clerk. His older sister Helen had married and left home by this time.

Charles passed through Peterborough East Station on 29 August 1916 and stated he was serving with the Royal Field Artillery.  He wrote in the visitors’ book ‘at present Norwich, next week France (Perhaps)’.  It has not been possible to locate Charles’ service record, so whether or not he made it to France, we do not know.  He was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals, which indicates that he served overseas.

In December 1920, he married Kate Faul in Hartlepool and they had a daughter Kathleen born the following year.  In 1939, Charles, Kate and their family were living at 17 Elwick Road, West Hartlepool and Charles was a railway signalman.  At this time his widowed mother, Frances is also living with them.  Charles passed away in Durham in 1973, aged 78.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Charles and his family.