Charlie STROUD. Able Seaman 238794, Royal Navy on HMS Inflexible. Born 8th March 1891 at Eton, Buckinghamshire. Son of James and Martha, nee Bye who in 1901 were living as a family at 9 Tanger Lane, Eton. Enlisted 6th May 1907, occupation prior to enlistment, pupil at a Sea Training School. In 1911 aged 20 he was onboard HMS Inflexible !st Class Armoured Cruiser off Howth Head, Dublin. Died 9th February 1913 aged 22 from a fracture on the base of his skull while on duty in a Malta hospital. He was lowering a paint pot, overbalanced and fell on to the afterdeck. Court of inquiry finding. Death from fracture of skull by falling from a
picket boat. (in crutches and derrick) No witness to show what caused the fall. His mother was informed of his death 10th February 1913. His mother died 5th July 1962 at St Mary Abbots Hospital, Kensington, London.
At rest in Plot B Grave 220, Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta. Unmarked burial.
Daily Malta Chronicle and Garrison Gazette - Tuesday 11 February 1913
On Sunday afternoon, in the Valletta Police Court, Magistrate Dr. Mercieca held an enquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Charles Stroud, age 22, an Able Seaman belonging to H.M.S. Inflexible.
From the evidence adduced, it appears that at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, while the deceased was painting a picket boat swung from the davits, he accidentally lost his hold and fell to the deck, striking his head against a bunker plate. He was immediately removed to the Royal Naval Hospital, Bighi, where he died at about 1.30 the following morning. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, when the remains were interred with the usual naval honours, in the Bighi Cemetery the sad service being performed by the Rev. E. S. Phillips, M.A., Chaplain H.M.S. Inflexible. Deceased, who was the only support of his widowed mother, was a promising young seaman and greatly esteemed by his comrades.
