Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Charles Randall was born on 26th May 1882 in Redhill, Surrey to domestic servant Caroline Randall.
Charles’ mother Caroline was born in the 1st quarter of 1853 in Reigate, Surrey to licenced victualler William, born about 1822 in St Lawrence, Kent, and Mary, born about 1823 in Clerkenwell, Middlesex. Charles’ maternal uncle William Randall was born about 1847 in Reigate and was baptised on 22nd December 1847 at St Mary’s church in Reigate. William married Mary Ann Stevens in the 3rd quarter of 1874 in Reigate. Mary was born about 1852 in Brighton, Sussex.
At the time of the 1881 Census, Charles’ mother Caroline was a general servant of Marianne Maitland, an India office pensioner at Park Road, Reigate. At the time of the 1881 Census, Charles’ uncle William and his family lived at Holmesdale Road, Reigate. William was working as a contractor’s clerk and Mary Ann was looking after their children: Emily, Flora, and William. The family further comprised of a lodger, railway porter, Arthur Gallaway.
The 1886 National School Admission Register reads that Charles was admitted into St Mark’s Church of English School Reigate for infants on 24th May 1886. He lived at Holmesdale Road in Reigate and his parent is stated to be William. This could refer to Charles’ uncle William whose five children attended the same school and also lived at Holmesdale Road.
Charles’ sister Annie Randall was born in the 4th quarter of 1889 in Redhill.
At the time of the 1891 Census, Caroline and her children Charles and Annie were pauper inmates of the Reigate Union Workhouse. Caroline was working as a domestic servant.
At the time of the 1891 Census, William, Charles’ uncle, lived with his family at Holmesdale Road, Reigate. William was working as a packer and Mary Ann was looking after their children: Flora, William, Rhoda and Nelly/Nellie.
William Randall was buried on 30th November 1893 at St Mary’s church in Reigate. At the time of his death he lived at 47 Holmesdale Road, Reigate.
Charles’ mother Caroline married the widower George Holt on 31st March 1894 at St John the Baptist church in Okewood. At the time of the marriage, the couple lived at Forest Green & Okewood.
Charles Randall enrolled into the Royal Navy as a Sick Berth Steward on 9th August 1900. His service number was: 350844(CH).
Prior to his enrolment Charles was working as a driver. He was over 5ft tall, had light hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.
Charles firstly served at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar from 9th August 1900 to 3rd April 1901. Throughout his career he also served at the Chatham Naval Hospital and aboard various ships: HMS Pembroke, HMS Wildfire, HMS Caledonia, HMS Pembroke I, HMS Egeria, HMS Hogue, HMS Hearty and HMS Vulcan.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Charles Randall was a Sick Berth Steward at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, Alverstoke, Hampshire. He was 19 years old.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Charles’ mother Caroline Holt lived with her husband, general labourer, George at The Cottages, Forest Green, Abinger, Surrey. The household further comprised of boarders: bricklayer Charles Stevens and general labourer Alfred Moore.
Caroline Holt died in 1904 and she was buried on 16th May 1904 in Dorking Cemetery.
On 5th February 1909 Charles was awarded £10 in view of his services, while in sole medical charge of the HMS Egeria ‘owing to absence of surgeon through illness’. Charles served on the HMS Egeria from 27th February 1907 to 31st March 1910.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Charles Randall was a Sick Berth Steward on the HMS Hogue. Charles served on the HMS Hogue from 12th October 1910 to 13th November 1912.
Charles served at the Chatham Hospital in Kent from 9th December 1912 to 27th January 1913, aboard the HMS Pembroke I from 28th January 1913 to 28th January 1913 and aboard the HMS Vulcan from 9th January to 30th July 1916.
The HMS Vulcan was from 1915 used as a submarine depot ship.
Charles Randall died from poisoning on the 30th of July 1916 aboard the HMS Vulcan. An inquest into his death returned a verdict of self-poisoning while not being of sound mind. The 1916 Hull Daily Mail newspaper reads that: ‘the death took place at Immingham late last night of Charles Randall, a ship’s steward, apparently from poisoning. He was found frothing at the mouth, and his lips were burned by corrosive fluid.’
Charles was buried on 4th August 1916 in Dorking Cemetery. His grave registration number is: 6.6372. He was 34 years old.
Charles’ next of kin was his cousin Emily Salmon[s] nee Randall of 11 Station Road, Dorking. Charles left £119, 18s and 9d in soldier’s effects.
| Born | Redhill, Surrey | |
| Son of | Caroline Randall | |
| Regiment | Royal Navy, H.M.S. “Vulcan” | |
| Number | 305844 | |
| Date of Death | 30th July 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Port of Immingham, Lincolnshire | |
| Cause of Death | Poisoning | |
| Age | 34 | |
| Cemetery | Dorking Cemetery |
