Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the South Staffordshire area who died during the two World Wars.
I have not yet been able to identify this man's family. Inconsistencies in his record suggest that he may have been an orphan. After his death the Army was unable to pay out his effects - which indicates that he had no known next-of-kin.
A news report in the Lichfield Mercury of 21 November 1913 mentions a Charles Slaney (19), footman of Brewood - who is probably the Charles Slaney, footman who was working at Greenway Bank Hall, Norton in the Moors, Staffordshire at the time of the 1911 census. This man gave Lichfield as his place of birth though he was not registered there. I suspect that he may be the Charles Slaney, born in the Sheffield area in 1892 who was a patient in the Sheffield Childrens' Home Hospital in 1901.
The only C Slaney recorded as a casualty of World War 1 is 13053 Lance Corporal Charles Slaney of the 7th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. When he enlisted - during the opening weeks of the war - Charles gave his birthplace and residence as Lichfield.
Charles went to Gallipoli with the 7th South Staffords, arriving on 21st July, 1915. He was killed in action on 1st September, 1915, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.
Lance Corporal Charles Slaney, 13053, was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1914/15 Star.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg.