Woven Branches

Charles Augustus John Petherick Jago, son of William Jago and Eliza Prouse, was born on 2 February 1849 at Devonport, Devon, England.^1,2

Charles began his service with the Royal Navy as a Boy of the Second Class serving on the HMS Aurora on 10 November 1863 at Devonport, Devon, England. His Continuous Service number was 27681A.¹

Charles was promoted to Boy 1st Class on 28 February 1865 at England while serving on HMS Aurora.¹

Charles was on board the HMS Aurora at Quebec from May 1866 to May 1867. He was also on Lake Huron on the Michigan in 1867 as part of the Canadian force during the Fenian Raids.³

Charles was promoted to Ordinary Seaman on 22 May 1867 while serving on HMS Aurora.¹

Over the next few years Charles served aboard HMS Penelope¹ and HMS Agincourt.¹ While serving aboard HMS Agincourt Charles was promoted to Able Seaman on 1 May 1870.¹ Shortly after this Charles transferred to HMS Black Prince.¹ Just under a year later Charles transferred to HMS Cambridge on 25 June 1871. He was still serving on this ship at the time of his marriage.¹

Charles married Emiline Matilda Kneebone, daughter of Theophilus Kneebone and Mary Anne Martin, on 19 October 1871 at Register Office, Stoke Damerel, Devonport, Devon, England.⁴

Charles transferred to HMS Invincible on 6 August 1872.¹ He was promoted to Leading Seaman on 20 October 1873.⁵ Charles served for several years aboard HMS Invincible and was promoted to PO 2nd Class on 19 April 1876.⁵

Charles transferred to the Coast Guard to serve abourd HMS Warrior on 7 October 1876⁵ and shortly after was promoted to Boatman on 8 December 1876 at Yealm, Devon. It seems likely that Charles transferred from the Navy to the Coastguard so that he and Emmeline could start a family. The Coastguard spent more time on land at various Costguard Stations and tended to have longer periods serving at a station.⁵

It appears that Charles transferred back to the Navy as a PO 2nd Class aboard HMS Warrior on 28 April 1878.⁵ This stint back in the Navy was very short. Charles transferred back to the Coast Guard and his position as Boatman aboard HMS Warrior on 20 August 1878 at Yealm, Devon.⁵

By the time of the 1881 census Charles and Emiline were living at the Coastguard Station, Devonport, with their two young children.⁶ Over the next few years Charles served aboard several ships and at several stations starting with HMS Hercules⁵ where he was promoted to Commander Boatman on 1 April 1883⁵, the Coast Guard station at Pendeen, Cornwall, on 14 April 1883 (where Charles's and Emeline's next three children were born)⁵, HMS Northumberland on 13 May 1890⁵, HMS Alexandra on 8 March 1891⁵, and to Penzance, Cornwall, where he was promoted to Chief Boatman at the Weymouth Coast Guard Station on 12 June 1893.⁵

On 1 December 1895, while still serving at the Weymouth Coast Guard station, Charles was promoted to Chief Boatman in Charge⁵ in preparation for his transfer to Kingstown Coastguard Station at Curracloe, Ireland, just 10 days later. Charles, Emeline and their youngest children lived at Kingstown for several years. Unfortunately, Emeline died 15 February 1898 shortly after giving birth to their ninth child.⁵ Charles remained at Curracloe for a few more years. He received his pension on 19 November 1903⁵ and officially ended his service on 16 December 1903.⁵

Charles married Thomasin Sambrook, daughter of Thomas Ashford Goddard and Mary Ashford, between 1 April 1909 and 30 June 1909 at Devonport, Devon, England. Thomasin was the widow of Charles's friend and fellow Coastguard man John Sambrook.

Charles died on 23 February 1938 at 16 Third Avenue, Devonport, Devon, England, at age 89.⁷