Charles Owen Slacke was a captain in the 14th Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles in the 36th (Ulster) Division.

The 14th (Young Citizens) Battalion was raised in Belfast in September 1914 from volunteers.

Charles was killed at Thiepval on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, while leading his company into action and he was buried Connaught Cemmetery.

The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for their action on the 1st July 1916, when they were one of the few divisions to reach their objective. The men held out for the day but as their stock of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back.

The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st July were over 5,000 in total and nine men were awarded the Victoria Cross.

Eric Cliff