Charles was born on 23 July 1897 in Gibraltar, the son of Charles John Newnham and Annie (née Gilbert) Amoore, both parents serving or having served in the British Army and based on the Rock. His sister Annie Margaret Newnham was born in Leith, Edinburgh on 17 February 1899 with the father’s occupation listed as “Quarter Master Sergeant”.

Charles joined the Royal Navy on 29 November 1912 when he walked over the gangway of HMS IMPREGNABLE the “Boy Training Ship” in Devonport dockyard and signed on as a Boy Second Class. On 4 April 1913 he was selected for and made up to Boy Telegraphist and drafted to HMS SOUTHAMPTON on 17 October 1913 for 15 months to 6 January 1915. He then had a draft to HMS BELLONA on 7 January 1915, with advancement to Ordinary Telegraphist on 29 April, and up to Telegraphist on 7 October 1915. Only a year later on 6 October 1916 he was further advanced to Leading Telegraphist.

On 8 October 1916 he was drafted to HMS REVENGE where on board he volunteered for the submarine service and so received a draft to HMS DOLPHIN on 13 March 1917 for the submarine familiarisation course, which he completed on 8 June 1917 and was drafted to HMS MAIDSTONE for HMS E34.

E34 was reported “Missing Presumed Lost” on the 20 July 1918 when she failed to return from a North Sea patrol off the coast of Holland. Information gained when the wreck was found and identified as E34 was that she had struck a mine causing catastrophic damage and the loss of the submarine and her entire 31 man crew.

Leading Telegraphist Charles John Newnham Amoore with Svc No. J21492 “Crossed The Bar” sometime in July 1918 with 30 of his shipmates.