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While not a DoM QSA, very much associated with the siege of Mafeking.


Picture courtesy of Noonan's

British War and Victory Medals (K.52284 C. E. M. Gardner. Sto. 2 R.N.)

Charles Edward Mafeking Gardner was born in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, on 21 May 1900 (Mafeking having been relieved just four days previously), and enlisted in the Royal Navy for the duration of hostilities on 3 July 1918. He served as a Stoker Second Class in the mine-sweeper HMS Ascot from 27 October 1918, and was killed in action when Ascot was torpedoed and sunk by UB-67 off the Farne Islands on 10 November 1918, the last ship to be sunk during the Great War. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

It's very interesting! and by the way, very curious.

Interestingly, I believe Charles's twin brother also served in the Royal Navy. They both served on the HMS Victory 2 and were both stokers. Charles then moved on to the minesweeper HMS Ascot. Twin brother Walter transferred to HMS Dryad. It could have certainly been a double tragedy for the family if the twins had transferred together onto the same vessel.

Walter George K Gardner survived WW1 and passed away in 1979.......I wonder what the K refered to?.( Kimberley.....or Kitchener perhaps? )


Ps. Charles and Walter were baptised on 22nd September 1901.

Ancestry informs me that the K does indeed stand for Kimberley.