Trafford

Born at Altrincham in 1898.   Son of George & Edith Kennerley (nee
Fletcher).  Baptised at St. John's P.C. Altrincham on the 15th June 1898.  
of Peel Street - father's occupation - Bricklayer.    

1901 Census - Booths Lane, Lymm, Cheshire.   Son - aged: 1 - born: Lymm,
Cheshire.  Head of household - George Kennerley - Married - aged: 26 - occ:
Coachman (Domestic) - born: Knutsford, Cheshire.   Also - Edith Kennerley -
Wife - aged: 23 - born: Altrincham.   Plus 2 elder sisters.

1911 Census - 13 Lloyds Square Altrincham.   Son - aged: 11 - Scholar -
born: Lymm, Cheshire.    Head of household - George Kennerley - Married -
aged: 35 - occ: Cab Driver - born: Knutsford, Cheshire.   Also - Ada (Stet)
Kennerley - Wife - aged: 34 - born: Altrincham.   Plus 3 siblings and 2
visitors.

On leaving school he was employed as a Messenger by the Altrincham Post
Office.   Joined the RN when he was 16 years old and at 17½ years of age
served on H.M.S. "Conqueror" in the Battle of Jutland.   After the 1st W.W.
he returned to work as a Postman at Altrincham.

Married Maude Jeffrey at St. George's P.C. Altrincham on the 3rd April
1920.  Charles was a 20 year old Bachelor an Albe Seaman in the Royal
Navy..   Maude a 23 year old Spinster.  They were both residing at 5
Mayor's Road, Altrincham.

1921 Census - 5, Mayor's Road, Altrincham,   Si=on-in-Law - aged: 21 - occ:
Able Seaman - born: Lymm, Cheshire.   Also - Maude Jeffrey - Daughter of
head of household.   Actually Maude Kennerley - not Jeffrey now.

1939 National Registration - No Trace.of the family.   Charles Edward was
serving in the Royal Navy then, but unable tofind Maude Kennerley.

As a reservist he was re-called in August 1939 and served in destroyers in
the successful Narvik & Matapan naval exploits.  Later he served in
minesweepers escourting the Russian Convoys, including H.M.S. "Bramble",
whose last message on the 31/12/42 was "enemy sighted".

Whilst escorting a Russian Convoy, the minesweeper H.M.S. "Bramble" was one
of a number of vessels in action north of North Cape.  She was sunk by the
German heavy cruiser the "Admiral Hipper".  So ended a VERY active naval
service over two world wars.

Death reported in the 22nd January 1943 edition of the Sale & Stretford
Guardian.

Commemorated on his son's CWGC Headstone in Hale Cemetery.

CWGC - Son of George and Edith Kennerley; husband of Maud Kennerley, of
Hale, Cheshire.  His son Charles Geoffrey also died on service.

The day before his wife was due to bury their son Charles Geoffrey, she was
informed the her husband had also been killed.

In 2004, aged: 70, his son - Ron Kennerley researched both his father's and
his brother's service records and wrote a long article about them that
included photographs of them both.  See website
http://www.halcyon-class.co.uk/Bramble/ab_charles_kennerley.htm