Cannock soldier remembered at centenary service
Bravery, leadership and willingness - a war hero's life was marked at a Cannock church 100 years after he died in duty during the First World War.
Charles Loxton, from Walsall, was repairing wiring on the front lines in Wulverghem in France when he was shot. He died while being taken to hospital.
Mr Loxton and his fellow comrades from Cannock are immortalised by a painted glass window at St Luke's Church in Cannock.
On Saturday, relatives of Mr Loxton descended on the town from as far away as Australia.
A total of 17 distant family members were the guests of honour at a memorial service at the church in the town centre.
The names which adorn the memorials around the town were read out on the day.
Mr Loxton was born in Walsall in 1892 and was educated at Oxford University before war broke out in 1914.
He volunteered for service and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment.
His bravery, leadership and willingness endeared him to his brothers in arms as well as officers.
But on 23 March 1915, while repairing wiring he was shot and later died.
But Mr Loxton and his fellow comrades from Cannock, remain immortalised by the painted-glass window.
It depicts the troops taking part in a Holy Communion just before they went into the trenches, something Mr Loxton took comfort in according to his officers.
While most of his relatives had travelled to the service from all over the county, Sarah Loxton-Guest, a first cousin once removed of the fallen soldier, flew in from Australia just to make the occasion.
Whilst admiring the artwork, she said: "I think it is the most beautiful, emotive church window I have ever seen.
"It just completely stands out from the others."
"This has been more than just a memorial it has been a family reunion for me.
"I have such deep appreciation for what the people at the church have done."
David Gethin, lay minister at St. Luke's had a large hand in organising the service and inviting the Loxton family.
"We are absolutely thrilled they have come here to share it with us," he said.
"We were already in touch with the family and today is the 100th anniversary of Charles Loxton's death.
He would have died in the early hours of this morning.
"We just thought what a perfect way to remember him and all of those boys from Cannock who died in the First World War."
