Charles Foote Snow
4 December 1887 – 30 June
1916
Charles was born on the 4 December 1887
to William Henry Snow and his wife Fanny Maria, of Compton
House, 21 Westgate, Peterborough, where William Henry was a
furniture dealer. Charles had a brother Victor and two
sisters, Kate and Nellie.
Charles joined The King’s School for a brief period in
September 1898, aged 11. In March 1899 he moved to Barton
School, Wisbech as a boarder, according to the 1901 census.
Charles left Barton School in 1905 to train as a Dental
Surgeon. First he undertook an apprenticeship in dental
technical work in Formby, Lancashire, then entered the
Dental School at Guy's Hospital. He qualified L.D.S. of the
Royal College of Surgeons, and was registered as a Dentist
on 25th
May 1910.
After acting as a locum for 6 months he was off to South
Africa to take up a partnership in a lucrative Dental
practice in Kimberley. The cost of joining was £1301, 18
shillings and 1 penny, provided by his mother, to whom it
was repaid by the army after his death.
In 1912, Charles joined the Diamond Field Light Horse, a
South African cavalry regiment, as a Lieutenant. At the
outbreak of war in 1914 he joined the 1st Battalion Kimberley Regiment as a Senior
Lieutenant, later transferring to the South African Medical
Corps as a Captain. Like Percy Flecknoe, he served under
General Botha's command in the German West Africa Campaign.
On its completion, Snow sailed for England to be offered
and accept a commission in the Royal Field Artillery.
On the 30th
June 1916, he died of wounds
sustained whilst serving with his Battery. He was 28 years
of age. It was said of him at the time that “He was a
patriotic Englishman and his noble example will live long
in the annals of his Native City.” His commanding officer
said of him in a letter to his sister Nellie “A real
winner, absolutely fearless, splendid in his work, his men
were devoted to him”. We appreciate the words of a brother
officer, who said “I have lost one of the best friends a
man could ever have. Charles was loved wherever he went”.
Charles Snow is buried at the London Rifle Brigade
Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium.
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