Charles's Story.
Charles Ernest Minshaw died of enteric fever (typhoid) in Ladysmith, South Africa, on 25th February 1900. He was 20 years old. The Crewe Guardian newspaper reported his death:
A SANDBACH MAN DIES AT LADYSMITH. THE IRONY OF FATE.
It seemed like another instance of the irony of fate that when the English nation generally were rejoicing over the relief of Ladysmith, at least one family, and that a local one, should at the same time have cause to sorrow and mourn. Amongst those of the Naval Brigade, whom it was well known were amongst the besieged of Ladysmith, was Seaman Charles E. Minshaw, of H.M.S. Powerful, son of Mr. J. W. Minshaw, of Cooper-street, Bradwall-road, Sandbach, and it may be imagined that the hearts of none were more gladdened at the joyous news which was received last Thursday than were those of the relatives of the young Sandbach sailor. And just when their joyousness had reached a pitch bordering on enthusiasm, somebody imparted the sad information that in that evening's papers it was officially announced that Seaman Charles E. Minshaw, of the Naval Brigade, had died within the precincts of Ladysmith from enteric fever. This proved only too true. The following morning Mr. and Mrs. Minshaw received a letter from the Admiralty briefly informing them of their son's death. Needless to say, the painful intelligence has been received with deep regret by the people of Sandbach, and particularly by those to whom the deceased was known, and much sympathy is expressed with the bereaved parents. As a mark of the respect in which the deceased and his family are held, and of appreciation of his services to his Queen and country, the flag on the Church steeple floated half-mast.
HIS CAREER.
The deceased received the first part of his education at Sandbach National School, under Mr. Nock, and went from there to the Sandbach School under Mr. Hyslop. On leaving school he entered the Post Office at Sandbach, but at the age of fifteen he joined the Royal Navy, and went to the training ship "Caledonia," at Leith, in Scotland. After two years he was moved to the gunboat Rose at Sheerness, and passed through a course of training. In April 1897, he went on board the Minotaur, and later he was put on board her Majesty's ship Champion, then at Chatham, with which vessel he made a voyage to Sierra Leone. On returning from this voyage, he was put on board the Agincourt, which made a voyage to South America, visiting Terra del Fuego. He next joined the Powerful, which was commissioned for three years, and in 1898 he was in Chinese waters. Leaving Hong Kong, they steamed to Manila, in the Philippines, from which place the deceased wrote home.
HIS LAST LETTER.
The last letter received from him was mailed from Durban, in Natal, under date October 20th last, and from this letter we make the following extracts:— "We have been ordered to the above place to land about 250 seamen and officers to take part against the Boers. We have had a lot of work preparing the guns, mounting them right for field service. We expect to leave Durban for Ladysmith tomorrow by armoured train. We have got five 12 pounders, two 4.7 guns, and two Maxims, and shall be a great help to the forces. I can't say how long we are likely to remain on shore, but if all goes well I will let you know everything that goes on. People at home get more news than we do, because we can't get anything reliable. I hope this will not be the last time I shall write. I am at present preparing for an examination for able seaman, but, of course, that must now wait some time."
(The Crewe Guardian, Saturday 10th March 1900)
HMS Powerful 4.7 gun
What do we know about Charles?
Charles Ernest Minshaw was born on 9th January 1880, in Northwich. He was the fourth son of John William Minshaw and Sarah Herbert. By 1891, the family was living at Factory Yard, High Street, Sandbach, later moving to Cooper Street, Bradwall Road. His father was a shipping clerk.
On 28th January 1995, Charles joined the Royal Navy at the age of fifteen. From his Naval records, we know that he was 5' 5" tall, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. By the age of 18, he was 5' 8" in height.
In 1900, members of HMS Powerful were in Ladysmith. Charles died of typhoid on 25th February, just seven weeks after his 20th birthday. He is buried in Intombi Netural Camp Cemetery, Ladysmith, in a plot not far from the graves shown below:
Able Seaman Edward Frost Dunn's grave is in the foreground. Charles died twelve days later, so he would have been buried close by, in Row 3.
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List of burials
Charles is one of the men from HMS Powerful who are remembered on this memorial in Victoria Park, Portsmouth. A plaque in his memory hangs on the wall of St Mary's Church, Sandbach.
Researched by Shena Lewington (April 2026)
A SANDBACH MAN DIES AT LADYSMITH. THE IRONY OF FATE.
It seemed like another instance of the irony of fate that when the English nation generally were rejoicing over the relief of Ladysmith, at least one family, and that a local one, should at the same time have cause to sorrow and mourn. Amongst those of the Naval Brigade, whom it was well known were amongst the besieged of Ladysmith, was Seaman Charles E. Minshaw, of H.M.S. Powerful, son of Mr. J. W. Minshaw, of Cooper-street, Bradwall-road, Sandbach, and it may be imagined that the hearts of none were more gladdened at the joyous news which was received last Thursday than were those of the relatives of the young Sandbach sailor. And just when their joyousness had reached a pitch bordering on enthusiasm, somebody imparted the sad information that in that evening's papers it was officially announced that Seaman Charles E. Minshaw, of the Naval Brigade, had died within the precincts of Ladysmith from enteric fever. This proved only too true. The following morning Mr. and Mrs. Minshaw received a letter from the Admiralty briefly informing them of their son's death. Needless to say, the painful intelligence has been received with deep regret by the people of Sandbach, and particularly by those to whom the deceased was known, and much sympathy is expressed with the bereaved parents. As a mark of the respect in which the deceased and his family are held, and of appreciation of his services to his Queen and country, the flag on the Church steeple floated half-mast.
HIS CAREER.
The deceased received the first part of his education at Sandbach National School, under Mr. Nock, and went from there to the Sandbach School under Mr. Hyslop. On leaving school he entered the Post Office at Sandbach, but at the age of fifteen he joined the Royal Navy, and went to the training ship "Caledonia," at Leith, in Scotland. After two years he was moved to the gunboat Rose at Sheerness, and passed through a course of training. In April 1897, he went on board the Minotaur, and later he was put on board her Majesty's ship Champion, then at Chatham, with which vessel he made a voyage to Sierra Leone. On returning from this voyage, he was put on board the Agincourt, which made a voyage to South America, visiting Terra del Fuego. He next joined the Powerful, which was commissioned for three years, and in 1898 he was in Chinese waters. Leaving Hong Kong, they steamed to Manila, in the Philippines, from which place the deceased wrote home.
HIS LAST LETTER.
The last letter received from him was mailed from Durban, in Natal, under date October 20th last, and from this letter we make the following extracts:— "We have been ordered to the above place to land about 250 seamen and officers to take part against the Boers. We have had a lot of work preparing the guns, mounting them right for field service. We expect to leave Durban for Ladysmith tomorrow by armoured train. We have got five 12 pounders, two 4.7 guns, and two Maxims, and shall be a great help to the forces. I can't say how long we are likely to remain on shore, but if all goes well I will let you know everything that goes on. People at home get more news than we do, because we can't get anything reliable. I hope this will not be the last time I shall write. I am at present preparing for an examination for able seaman, but, of course, that must now wait some time."
(The Crewe Guardian, Saturday 10th March 1900)
HMS Powerful 4.7 gun
What do we know about Charles?
Charles Ernest Minshaw was born on 9th January 1880, in Northwich. He was the fourth son of John William Minshaw and Sarah Herbert. By 1891, the family was living at Factory Yard, High Street, Sandbach, later moving to Cooper Street, Bradwall Road. His father was a shipping clerk.
On 28th January 1995, Charles joined the Royal Navy at the age of fifteen. From his Naval records, we know that he was 5' 5" tall, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. By the age of 18, he was 5' 8" in height.
In 1900, members of HMS Powerful were in Ladysmith. Charles died of typhoid on 25th February, just seven weeks after his 20th birthday. He is buried in Intombi Netural Camp Cemetery, Ladysmith, in a plot not far from the graves shown below:
Able Seaman Edward Frost Dunn's grave is in the foreground. Charles died twelve days later, so he would have been buried close by, in Row 3.
List of burials
Charles is one of the men from HMS Powerful who are remembered on this memorial in Victoria Park, Portsmouth. A plaque in his memory hangs on the wall of St Mary's Church, Sandbach.
Researched by Shena Lewington (April 2026)