Charles Edward Stannard

A Warrant Telegraphist with H.M.S. Champagne, Charles died on 9th of October 1917 at the age of 23. 

Charles was born at East Bergholt, Suffolk, on 4 December 1893, a son of George and Susannah Stannard. In 1901 Charles’ family lived at The Police Station, Tavern Street, Stowmarket, where his father was a police inspector. By 1911 they were living at 33 Cobbold Street, Ipswich. Later they lived at 57 Levington Road, Ipswich, before moving to 29 Carlton Road, Pakefield.

Charles attended Stowmarket Secondary School and the Municipal School, Ipswich. In 1911 Charles worked as a Post Office clerk and in 1915 he became a certified wireless operator. 

Charles joined the Royal Naval Reserve in April 1915, and, on 19 June 1915, he was appointed Temporary Warrant Telegraphist. Charles was sent to Marconi House for instruction in the use of the 5 k.w. wireless. From 4 February 1916 he was based at Devonport and detailed for service on ships of the 10th Cruiser Squadron while awaiting the commissioning of H.M.S. Avenger. It seems that he spent some time on board the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Armadale Castle. The Avenger was commissioned on 14 March 1916 and Charles was still serving on the Avenger when it was torpedoed and sunk on 14 June 1917. In July 1917 Charles joined H.M.S. Champagne.   

On 9 October 1917 H.M.S. Champagne was sailing eight miles south-west of the Calf of Man. At 6.10 p.m. a torpedo struck the ship in the engine room on the starboard. The explosion stopped all of the ship’s main engines. It was expected that the ship would stay afloat for some time, but a second torpedo struck the ship on the port side and the order to abandon ship was given. A gun-crew remained on board and tried to engage with the submarine, but a third torpedo struck the ship, which broke in two. Five officers and 53 ratings were killed. 

Captain Percy Brown wrote to Charles’ parents:

Mr. Stannard lost his life through devotion to duty. He and the other Warrant Telegraphist (who also lost his life) remained at their post, trying to make the wireless work, to send out a call for help, after I gave the order to abandon the ship. No man can die a finer death. I have reported his conduct to the Admiralty.

Engineering Lieutenant E. Roeford also wrote to Charles’ parents:

He died a gallant death doing his duty to the end, and I am proud to think I have sailed with such a gallant officer, for he has kept up the tradition of the Navy, and also that gallant tradition which Marconi men have made for themselves.