P/M309327, Chief Petty Officer, Charles William GATES
Aged 55
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Charles GATES was born on 1st July 1885 in Nayland (Sudbury Q3-1885 4A:608), son of George William and Sarah Elizabeth GATES (née WARREN). 1891 census...Aged 5, he was at Cottage, High Street, Stetchworth with his father George Gates [29] butcher born Waltham Abbey; his mother Elizabeth [31] born Polstead; brother Cecil[3] born Nayland and grandfather Samuel WARREN [60] born Polstead. 1901 census...Aged 15, an apprentice blacksmith, he was at Britannia Street, Shepshed, Leicestershire, with George SALMON and his family. His parents were still at Stetchworth with brothers Cecil, Edward [9], George [8], Archibald [5], Reginald [3] and Victor [9 months]; sister Beatrice. All the children except Charles and Cecil were born in Stetchworth. 1911 census...Aged 25, single, he was in the Royal Navy a Petty Officer Stoker, in Aden, aboard the 3rd class cruiser HMS Proserpine. His parents were still in Setchworth with brothers George (gamekeeper), Archibald (butcher), Reginald, Victor and Richard [8]. He married Martha Elizabeth RUSSELL [8-11-1893] in Portsmouth in 1925 In the 1939 Register his wife was in Thurston, one closed record. Last address Willow Dene Building, Thurston. Died at Victoria Cottage Hospital, Rothesay His younger brother Cecil GATES DCM was killed in Belgium in 1915. see here Another younger brother, George, was killed in France in 1917 see here |
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He enlisted on 4th December 1905, signing to complete 12 years ending 4-12-1917.He was 5 feet 6.5 inches (168.9 cm) tall, attaining 5ft 8.5 (174 cm) brown hair, blue grey eyes occupation blacksmith. His Naval records have a substantial number of vessels mentioned (it is on-line) but he appears to have served most of WW1 aboard HMS "Emperor of India" His WW2 service records have yet to be found. Records have him at H.M.S. Cyclops, which was a submarine repair and depot ship, originally SS Indrabarah. She was depot ship for 7th Submarine Flotilla based at Rothesay, but was at Harwich from Nov 1939 to May 1940. He died on board H.M.Submarine "Utmost" as a result of a fractured skull sustain in an accident. The Bury Free Press of 14th September 1940 reported:- THURSTON NAVAL MAN'S DEATH Amidst many signs of sorrow and sympathy, the funeral took place at St Peter's Church, Thurston,on Thursday afternoon (Rev.D.S.Curry officiating) of Chuief Mechn.C.W.Gates, of the "Bungalow", Thurston, eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Gates, Stetchworth. Deceased, who was 55 years of age, met his death on Sunday week through a fatal accident while on active service. He served in the Navy throughout the Great War, and was called up on Reserve just before the outbreak of the present conflict. Mr. Gates was a member of the White Ensign and of the Thurston branch of the British Legion, where all members were his pals.............
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