The 1901 census shows John Willie Charlesworth, born at Hoylandswaine in 1899, aged 2 living with his parents Colin, born 1868 in Thurgoland, died 1949, and Florence Matilda, born 1875 in Hoylandswaine, died 1958. They lived together with 2 siblings at Guyder Bottom, Hoylandswaine.

At the 1911 census Colin Charlesworth is listed as a Colliery Deputy with wife Florence and siblings Florence (Jnr) and John Willie, aged 12, a scholar.

John Willie Charlesworth enlisted in March 1917 at Barnsley joining the South Staffordshire Regiment, 4th Special Reserve Battalion.  

The *****tone Almanack report of 28th May 1918 stated that “Pt. John W. Charlesworth, South Staffs, son of Mr. and Mrs Colin Charlesworth, Hoylandswaine, reported missing on this date. He is 19 years of age and enlisted March 1917.”

Janet Dyson