Boy First Class Charles Easter
| Date of Birth | 26 May 1899 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 17 |
| Date of Death | 31 May 1916 |
| Service Number | J/33434 |
| Military Service | Royal Navy HMS Barham |
| Merton Address | 106 Haydons Road, Wimbledon |
| Local Memorial | Holy Trinity Church, Wimbledon |
Additional Information
Charles was born in Wimbledon on the 26th of May, 1899, the son of Henry Robert and Mary Ann Easter. He lived in a five room house at 106 Haydons Road with his parents and eleven siblings. His father was a boot maker and his elder sisters made electric filaments.
Charles was 5’7”, with dark hair and eyes, plus a fair complexion. He worked as a laundry boy prior to enlisting in the Navy, then served on a number of ships including the Ganges, Impregnable, Vernon, and Warspite. During the Battle of Jutland, he was serving on HMS Barham. The ship was hit by a number of enemy shells, including one that exploded in the sick bay, killing everyone inside. Twenty six men died on the Barham that day, including eight ship’s boys – Charles was one of them.