Charles was a Sergeant & drill Instructor of E company of the 1/1st Hunts Cyclist Battalion. Information from the HCB Gazette, Spring edition 1915 indicated that he was one of five Sergeants in E company of the 1/1st HCB.-
Company Sergeant Charles Mayes
was the Grandfather of Derek Mayes who has kindly supplied the following
entry of his death from a hand-written specific entry in the war
diary of the 1st Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment.Written by
Lieut. J P Gent Assistant Adjutant. '25-3-18 = FERDAN HOUSE (A
Coy’s HQ) was shelled during the morning. CSM Mayes and 2 OR’s
[OTHER RANKS] (1 Signaller and 1 Off. servant) were killed and 4 OR
wounded. The defence of POEL CAPPELLE
POELKAPELLE]
[was properly organised and the systems of defences were
carefully mapped out. Weather very good. Patrolling was kept up every
night, specially along the SPRIET ROAD. 2nd Lt. Kiesham’s patrol killed
a man but were unable to reach the body owing to intense MG fire. Battn
HQ and FERDAN HOUSE shelled during the day'.
C. S. M Mayes is buried in Cement House Cemetery Langemark.
He was mentioned in a poem in the spring issue of the HCB Gazette 1915, he was a Colour Sergeant in E Company 1/1st HCB
“ The Sergeants’ Mess ”
Sergeant-Major Blake Q. M. S. Hall
Makes all Filey quake Provides rations for all,
With his 6 am. pill And for stale bread and 'Scrag'
Of physical drill. The A. S. C. gets 'Snag'.
A. B
Colour Sergeant Walton Colour Sergeant Mayes
Said "Don't put salt on Is said to wear stays,
The tail of that rabbit, We think that he must
Just pot it, then grab it". From the shape of his bust.
B. F
Colour Sergeant Buckley Colour Sergeant Chesterfield,
Didn't Kill himself, luckily. Bantam-weight, dressed, or peeled,
His temptation you see Sometimes lets fly
Is now to shoot B. At F Company.
C. G.
Colour Sergeant Dawson Colour Sergeant Baxter
Said " Chilly night draws on, Said " I haven't axed her,"
The way to outflank it When a parent enraged
Is-get under the blanket ". Asked " Are you engaged ?"
D. H.
Colour Sergeant Buck, Colour Sergeant Wiles
Full of beans and pluck, Has the quietest of smiles
The great thing to see But H has not found him
Is Buck drilling D. Soft enough to get round him.
"Snag" was the name the men called the H.C.B headquarters in Yorkshire.
If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com
09/04/2012