Charles Klemp was born in West Ham, Essex on 29 December 1890, the son of Charles Christian Klemp and Cordelia Klemp (née Snell). Charles Klemp signed on in the Merchant Marine as Deck Boy on the SS KARAMEA on 6 April 1905. After two voyages he was rated Ordinary Seaman on 11 January 1906 and served on SS CORINTHIC, SS ORIENT & SS SOUDAN and, as an Able Seaman from 21 August 1908 in SS ORIENT, SS MOOLTAN & SS MALWA. From 3 April 1912 Charles Klemp served as Second Mate on the SS NADIR, SS NAITANG, SS SHAHZADA & SS SHAHJEHAN. Charles Klemp was awarded a master’s Certificate (Foreign Going) on 3 October 1914.

Thomas Klemp joined the Royal Navy on 2 December 1914 as a Temporary Sub Lieutenant, RNR and, on 8 January 1915 he was appointed to the Torpedo Boat Destroyer HMS KESTREL. He was appointed to HMS DOLPHIN ‘for Submarines‘ on 27 July 1916 and was serving in HMS E41 when the submarine was sunk following a collision with HMS E4 off Harwich on 15 August 1916. He had been appointed to E41 for training. Charles Klemp was recorded as being on the bridge of E41 at the time of the collision with E4 together with the Commanding Officer, a Signalman, and a Leading Seaman.

Charles Klemp did not survive the sinking. After the loss of HMS E41 his body was recovered from the sea by the Patrol Boat HMS P15. He was buried at sea from HMS P15 on 24 August 1916. Charles Klemp was twenty-five years old and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Panel No 22.