Charles Frederick Parsk

A Seaman with H.M.S. Formidable, Charles died on 1st of January 1915 at the age of 21. 

Charles was born at Lowestoft on 11 March 1893, a son of Walter and Elizabeth Sarah Parsk. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 7 April 1893. Charles' mother died in 1895 and in 1901 he lived with his aunt, Sarah Parsk, at White Cottage, Carlton Colville. By 1911 his father had married Leah Olive Peek, and the family lived at 2 Farrows Yard, Factory Street and Charles was a fisherman. Later his family lived at 4 Epsom Terrace, Kirkley Run, Lowestoft.

Charles joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 8 August 1914. He was drafted to H.M.S. Formidable on 30 September 1914. 

On 1 January 1915 the Formidable was struck by a torpedo fired by German submarine U-24 when about 37 miles off the Devon coast. The Captain attempted to bring the ship closer to shore but a second torpedo, from U-24, hit the ship. Around 550, including Charles, were killed.

See: HMS Formidable (burtonbradstock.org.uk)