Image of Jesus College war memorial

Charles Aubrey Town, Captain, West Yorkshire Regiment

​Charles Aubrey Town came to Jesus College in October 1903 from Mill Hill School. He graduated in 1906 after attaining a BA and LLB in 1906.

Born: Leeds, Yorkshire, 12 April 1885

Fell in action: 20 September 1917

Most of the information about him comes from his obituary in the Jesus College Cambridge Society Annual Report 1919, p.34 and there is no contemporary record of his activities. Apparently “He was in constant demand as a player for the rugby, association and cricket teams, though he never obtained colours.”

Much of the rest of the information from his obituary seems to have been gleaned from a newspaper article and is quite detailed. He was articled to Scratcherd, Hopkins and Middlebrook before qualifying as a solicitor in 1910.  He enlisted with the “Leeds Pals” on 20 September 1914 and was later gazetted to the West Yorkshires, subsequently being wounded twice, mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross.

He fell in action, three years to the day that he joined up, in the capture of Inverness Copse (near Ypres). One of the many tributes to him said that he was “One of those upright, strong men who elevate and inspire all his brothers.”

You can email us on ww1-project@jesus.cam.ac.uk, go to our First World War homepage, or find us on Lives of the First World War.