Content warning: This episode discusses Nazi crimes against humanity, conditions in internment camps, and suicide.

Charles Henry Holton was the first War Graves gardener to die in a German internment camp.

An ex-sapper from Buckinghamshire, Charlie cared for the British military cemeteries on the Somme. He lived in Hébuterne with his wife, Maria, and their six children. During the invasion of France in 1940, the Holtons were unable to evacuate their large family. Charlie and his oldest son, Noël, were arrested and sent to an internment camp. Charlie died just nine months later, in April 1941.

Credits:

researched, written, and narrated by Caitlin G. DeAngelis

photo of C. H. Holton’s grave by Megan Kelleher

sound editing by Fiona Hopkins

music by Albert Behar via Uppbeat