Charles Larking was born on the 23rd October 1882 to George Edward Larking and Annie Larking in Bramford. The Larking family were resident in Bramford, in 1881, at Paper Mill Farm but had moved to Ipswich by 1884. George Larking was a farmer of 45 acres in 1881 and employed 6 men and 2 boys.
Charles Larking
Charles was a Blacksmith’s mate when he joined the Navy aged 18 on 23rd October 1900. He signed up for 12 years. At some point Charles got married (thought to be in Kent in 1911) and at the end of his service he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 26th October 1912. When war broke out he was called up to serve aboard HMS Cressy on the 2nd August 1914.
HMS Cressy formed part of Cruiser Force “C” in the North Sea and was patrolling along with two other ships, HMS Aboukir and HMS Hogue,( a group of elderly armoured cruisers) when they were attacked by a German U-Boat, U9, in the early hours of 22nd September 1914. Within about an hour the U-Boat had sunk all three cruisers and although many were rescued just under 1500 crew died.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives his father’s details as George Edward Larking of 67 Sirdar Road, Ipswich and his wife as L. G. Larking, 51 Prospect Road, Ipswich.
The Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury of the 9th October 1914 announced his death and gave his address as 18 Beaconsfield Road, Ipswich.
AB C. A. Larking is commemorated on the Ipswich war Memorial.
Hello I am the great grandson of Charles Larking and I am very pleased to see that he, along with my family are mentioned in your website. Being ex navy and very interested in our family history my wife and I are attending the 100 year commemoration at Chatham of the sinking of the HMS Cressy along with her sister ships HMS Hogue and HMS Aboukir. It is good to check the information you hold corresponds with my own research. thanks and best wishes Chris