Charles Service Workman

Military Cross

Charles Service Workman was born on the 30th November 1896 at 5 Woodside Terrace, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. He was the son of Charles Workman MD, and Jessica (Jessie) Downie Workman (nÃ©e McNeill), who had married on the 30th April 1878 in Belfast, Ireland. He was related to the Workman family of shipbuilders in Belfast. His elder brother Robert graduated from Glasgow in 1902.

Memorial chapel at the University of Glasgow — The Memorial Chapel at the University of Glasgow

Charles was a first year medical student at the University, matriculating in 1914 when he was 17. He took classes in Zoology and Chemistry, but like many students of his generation he left his degree before graduating to undertake military service.

Lieutenant Workman served with the 5th Bn. The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and was attached to the 25th and 70th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for his distinguished service as an Observer with the 25th Sqdn. on the 14th September 1916. The London Gazette of 14th November 1916 contained this citation:

"2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) Charles Service Workman,

Sco. Rif. and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry in action. He and his pilot dived down to a low altitude, attacked a train, causing many casualties, and displayed great courage and determination."

He later trained to be a Pilot, graduating as a Flying Officers on the 30th March 1917, and moved to the 70th Sqdn. of the Royal Flying Corps, flying Sopwith Camels. He was shot down and wounded on the 17th July 1917, and taken prisoner by German forces. Red Cross reports state that he was injured to the back and foot. Lieutenant Charles Service Workman died from his wounds on the 20th July 1917, aged 20. He was buried on the 21st July 1917 in the Kortrijk (St Jan) Communal Cemetery, Kortrijk, east of Ieper, Belgium. His name can be found on the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle.