KING, Charles Trethowan

Killed in action 27 June 1915

Charles Trethowan King was born in December 1894  and enlisted on 15 October 1914 at the age of 29 years and 10 months. His mother, Janet King, resided at 88 Hotham Street, East Melbourne. She was a widow, her husband Charles Whitewood King having died on 17 April, 1902. At the time he enlisted, Charles was single, living in Nathalia and working as a farm labourer. He was of average heigth for the times, 5'6" tall, with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

He must have had experience with horses in Nathalia and was placedin the 8th Light Horse Regiment, 4th Reinforcement as a Trooper. After training, the regiment embarked from Melbourne for active service on 13 April, 1915, on HMAS Wiltshire. From there, he was taken on strength with the 8th Light Horse at Gallipoli on 26 May 1915 and was killed in action by shell fire on 27 June 1915.

Charles King was buried at Point Gallipoli by Rev. Em Merrington and later his remains were returned and buried at Ari Burnu, half a mile north from Anzac Cove, by Rev. E. Markham. The inscription on his grave reads 'No Better Way'.

His mother, as next of kin, was given a Memorial Plaque and a scroll with the King's message. She was granted a war pension of $39 per annum from the date of his death and his war medals, the 1914-15  Star, the Victory and British War Medals were sent to her. Janet King, who was by then residing at Quamby,  Baradine, NSW.