Childhood and Pre-War Years

Charles Alexander Slatter was born on the 3rd of May 1897 in Iver, Buckinghamshire, and was the third child of George and Annie Slatter. In early 1910 his family moved to Uxbridge, Middlesex where his father had found work at Osborne Stevens’ timber yard tending the company’s horses. His large family of 11 was housed on the premises in two separate cottages.

Slatter family circa 1905, Charles is on the far left

On the 20th May 1912, 15 year old Charles enlisted in the 8th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment (Territorial Force). He declared his age to be 17 years and one month. At his attestation he was 5 foot 4 with a girth of 34 inches when fully expanded. His occupation was given as a gardener. His original service number was 1694.