Victoria Redfern

Charles Henry Whetton was the only child of Fanny Mary Jane née Williamson (1897-1983) and Charles Henry Whetton (1898-1927) of Stapenhill, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. His father is listed on the birth certificate as working as a corporation tramways labourer and Charles was born at their home at 386 Rosliston Road, Stapenhill. His father sadly died when he was only 7 years old. Charles joined the the Royal Artillery during the Second World War and served in the Maritime Regiment, which means that he was a gunner on board merchant ships. His ship, the SS Taber Park, a Canadian ship bringing coal from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to London, was sunk off the coast of Norfolk 52.22N 01.53E on 13th March 1945, a week after his 25th birthday. He left behind his girlfriend Edna Smith and their 2 year old daughter, Rona - my mother.