Eleventh Generation

391. Charles Stanley BLABER^{1389,1456,1490} was born on 26 September 1892 in Steyning, West Sussex, England.^{1490,2694,2695} On the GRO, his birth is registered as Charles Stanley B Ingram. Perhaps the 'B' was for 'BLABER'?. Aged 24 at death. He lived at 29 Charlton Street in Steyning, West Sussex, England between 1901 and 1914.^2696,2697 He served in the Royal Navy between 22 June 1909 and 18 June 1917.^{1389,1490,2698} He served as an Able Seaman (J/4612), on HM Submarine "VI" during World War I. He was awarded the following medals: 1914-15 Star; Victory Medal; British War Medal. Charles was described as 5 ft - 8 1/2 ins tall, light brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion on 22 June 1909.^1490,2698 From 22 June 1909 he was a Boy - Class 2 onboard HMS Ganges, a shore training establishment,.^1490,2698 On 26 September 1910 he was a sailor, engaged to serve for 12 years in the Royal Navy.^1490,2698 By now, he had grown to 5 ft - 9 1/2 ins tall.

Over the next seven years, Charles served on many ships, including 'Donegal,' 'Albemarle,' 'Hermione','Exmouth,' and 'Dolphin.'
His character and ability were judged throughout to be 'very good,' and on 9th March 1917, by then with the rank of Able Seaman, he joined H.M.S.'Alecto,' a submarine depot ship, for training.
In 1914 Charles was a Seaman onboard a Torpedo Boat.²⁶⁹⁷ He was ill with acute tonsillitis in June 1917 in the submarine "V1".^1490,2698 He died of heart failure, following acute tonsillitis, on 18 June 1917 at the age of 24 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^{1389,1490,1493,2698,2699} Charles Stanley BLABER
Details from service record at Public Record Office - ADM188/656

"Number J4612
Date of Birth 26th September 1892
Place of Birth Steyning, Sussex
Occupation Parchment Maker's Assistant
Joined on 22nd June 1909 and went to Ganges as Boy 2nd Class
Height 5ft 8 ½"
Chest 35 ¾"
Hair Light
Eyes Blue
Complexion Fresh

Engaged 26th September 1910 for 12 years

Description at 18:
Height 5ft 9½"
Chest 35¾"
Hair Light Brown
Eyes Blue
Complexion Fresh

Character VG throughout

Ships:
Ganges; Donegal; Albemarle; Exmouth; Victory I; Vernon; Hermione; Magpie; Dolphin.
Entry shows that from 9th March 1917 - 31st March 1917 he was on 'Alecto', and then from 1st April 1917 to the 18th June 1917 was on 'Alecto [V1]'

Date of Death was 18th June 1917 on board HMS Alecto, from heart failure following tonsillitis."

His headstone at Steyning St. Andrew states that Alecto was at Great Yarmouth at the time of his death.

HMS Alecto was built as a submarine depot ship and launched on 29th August 1911. Compliment of 76 with no armament. Served throughout WW1 and I think WW2.
Charles was buried in St Andrew's Churchyard, Steyning, West Sussex, England.¹³⁸⁹ Grave/Headstone location: north of church tower.
Inscription reads:
In Loving memory of
CHARLES STANLEY BLABER
A.B.R.N
who died June 18th 1917 on H.M.S. "ALECTO"
at Great Yarmouth
aged 24 years
"Thy Will Be Done"
also
LUCY MATILDA BLABER
mother of the above
who died November 30th 1934
aged years 83 years

In 1914 Annie ROSS was a Parlour Maid.²⁶⁹⁷ She lived at 11 Highgate Road in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England in 1914.²⁶⁹⁷ We have not been able to find any marriage records between Charles Stanley BLABER and Annie ROSS.

Charles Stanley BLABER-2133 and Annie ROSS-9463 had the following children: