CHARLES Widdop was already an army veteran when the First World War broke out in 1914.

But his three years of experience in India with the West Riding Regiment didn’t stop him being killed within months.

Charlie, who grew up in Wilsden, was killed during a shelling attack on his trench at Zillebeke near Ypres.

His family had moved to Haworth by 1911 when Charlie, then aged 22, was serving as a private with the regiment’s 1st Battalion in India.

The Old Contemptible ‘joined the colours’ in Halifax at the outbreak of war in 1914, and was soon posted to Flanders.

Following an injury sustained in action Charlie was able to spend some time at home around Christmas recuperating, but within three months of his return he was dead.

The previous night his company had been on their usual routine, relieving another regiment in the trenches at night.

March 6 also promised to be a quiet night, until the early hours when shelling began, killing Charlie and wounding two other soldiers.

Charlie’s brother Harry also enlisted with the West Riding Regiment, but was classified unfit to serve because, according the King’s Regulations, he was “not likely to become an efficient soldier”.