Charles was born in Blackheath, Kent on 22nd May 1889 to parents Fredrick and Rosina, the 5th of 8 children.
In 1901 the family lived at 56 Molesworth Street, Lewisham, London, Charles was aged 1 - his father worked as a canvasser and collector and his mother worked as a book folder. Charles was, at that time, the youngest child.
10 years later the family, which had expanded with 3 younger siblings for Charles, had moved to PennyBank Buildings in Finsbury. His father had changed occupation and was a Printer’s Machine Assistant, and not surprisingly, with 8 children, his mother Rosina no longer worked!
By 1911 Charles was recorded in the 1911 census as a visitor to a house in Earlshall Road, Eltham. He worked as a clerk in a warehouse as well as being a superintendent at Walworth Road Baptist Chapel, where he was also a member. He lived with his widowed mother and sisters, in Molesey Road, Walton on Thames, his father Fredrick passing away in 1903.
He gave up these positions to join the Navy for the duration of hostilities and arrived at HMS PEMBROKE I on 15th February 1915. He was 5’7” tall with light brown hair, grey eyes and thanks to his photograph, also wore glasses.
He trained as a Writer 3rd Class, leaving the shore establishment on 23rd June 1915 and embarked to his one and only ship, HMS VANGUARD on 24th June 1915. He served in the Battle of Jutland. His Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his mother after he died, aged 28.
#269 - 363/843
Sources:
1891, 1901 & 1911 England Census - Ancestry.com
CWGC Register
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188/ 1042
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0743
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 ADM 171/104
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War. ADM 242; 008 (1914 - 1919)
Photo courtesy of British Library
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