Woven Branches

Charles Jago, son of Charles Augustus John Petherick Jago and Emiline Matilda Kneebone, was born on 14 October 1879 at 23 Moon Street, Devonport, Devon, England.²

Charles's father served in the Coastguard, so the family moved frequently from one Coastguard station to another. Charles's siblings were born in Devonport and Yealm in Devon, and in Pendeen, Zennor and Penzance in Cornwall. His youngest sibling was born in Curracloe, Wexford, Ireland.³

Charles joined the Royal Navy on 12 August 1897 beginning his service aboard the HMS Northampton as a Boy 2^nd Class. The records do not indicate where Charles was when he enlisted, but he was likely at Curracloe, Wexford, Ireland, with the rest of his family.⁴

Charles transferred to HMS Calliope on 8 October 1897.⁴ It was while serving aboard this ship that Charles was promoted to Boy 1^st Class on 12 November 1897⁴ and to Ordinary Seaman on 12 February 1898.⁴ Over the next few years Charles served aboard several ships including HMS Vivid I⁴ HMS Arrogant⁴ and HMS Algerine.⁴

Charles was serving aboard the Algerine during the bombardment and capture of Taku Forts, China, on 17 June 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion.⁵

Later that year, on 25 October 1900 Charles was promoted to Able Seaman.⁴

On 29 March 1903 Charles was awarded the China Medal and Taku Clasp.⁴

Charles continued his Naval career for several more years serving aboard HMS Vivid I multiple times⁴ as well as aboard HMS Cambridge⁴ and HMS Isis.⁴ During his final posting aboard HMS Vivid, which began on 20 April 1907⁴ Charles began the process of ending his Naval career early⁴ and was able to purchase his way out on 11 May 1907.⁴

At some point, likely when he was living with his parents at the Coastguard station in Penzance, Charles met Elizabeth Mary Jenkins. It appears that Elizabeth was living with her aunt and uncle, John and Thomasin Sambrook, in Penzance for several years over the 1890s^6,7. Family legend has it that Elizabeth decided to move to Canada and left Charles behind, still serving in the Navy. It was Elizabeth leaving that prompted Charles to buy his way out of his final months of service to follow her to Canada.

Charles embarked on the S.S. Victorian on 10 May 1907 and arrived at Quebec, Quebec, on 17 May 1907.⁸ Charles proceeded on to Toronto, Ontario, to meet up with Elizabeth. Charles and Elizabeth were married on 30 May 1907. Shortly after the marriage they moved to Guelph, Ontario. All of their children were born in Guelph.⁹

Like many men, Charles felt it was his duty to enlist with the Canadian Expeditionary Force to assist in the war. Charles enlisted at Welland, Ontario, on 28 July 1915.¹ It was several months later before Charles was called into service. He sailed from Halifax aboard the S.S. Empress of Britain on 23 April 1916 as part of the 76th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force leaving Elizabeth at home with three young children.¹ Charles arrived at Liverpool, England, on 4 May 1916¹ and shortly after transferred from the 76^th Battalion to the 36^th Battalion.¹ While still at Thorncliffe, England, Charles was once again transferred, this time to the 86th Battalion, on 23 June 1916.¹ By 17 July 1916 Charles was in France and was transferred to the 8th Brigade Canadian Machine Gun Corp. Charles would remain with the CMGC for the rest of his service.¹ On 30 July 1916 Charles joined his unit in the field.¹

The 8^th CMGC was heavily involved in the Battle of the Somme which took place from 15 September 1916 to 18 November 1916. The Canadians suffered serious casualties. Charles was wounded on the right knee and reported to hospital on 4 October 1916 at Vadencourt, France. He rejoined his unit 9 days later.¹

On 11 January 1917 Charles was transferred to the 15^th Canadian Machine Gun Corp.¹

In April 1917 the 15^th CMGC was involved in the battle of Vimy Ridge. After several days of fierce fighting the Germans were driven back and Vimy Ridge was taken.¹⁰

On 14 November 1917, during the battle at Paschendaele, Charles was seriously wounded by shrapnel on his neck and back.¹ He was transferred to No. 47 General Hospital, Le Treport, France, the next day and remained there for several weeks¹ finally being relased to No. 3 Convalescent Depot, Le Treport, on 11 December 1917.¹ Charles was finally discharged from hospital to base details on 21 December 1917.¹ He rejoined his unit in the field in France on 9 January 1918.¹

Charles was promoted to Lance Corporal on 26 January 1918.¹

On 19 March 1918 Charles's unit was absorbed into the 3rd Battalion of the Canadian Machine Gun Corp¹ and he was promoted to Corporal.¹ A short while later, on 1 May 1918, Charles was promoted to Sergeant.¹

On 8 August 1918 Charles was killed in action during the Battle of Amiens. This battle marked the beginning of the Allied victory in France as they pushed the German lines back several miles.¹ Charles was buried at Hourges Orchard Cemetery, Domart-Sur-La-Luce, France.¹