Leading-Stoker Charles WIlliam Venters

Charles William Venters was the son of William G.T. and Rose Venters of Wharton Road, Bromley (Kent).  Charles attended Wharton Road Council School and later joined up to the Royal Navy where he served for 7 years, for most part onboard HMS Queen Mary.

HMS Queen Mary was the last battlecruiser built by the Royal Navy before the First World War. Completed in 1913, she participated in the Battle of Heligoland Bight as part of the Grand Fleet in 1914.  A battle also served by Leading Stoker Venters.

On the 31st May 1916, during an early part of the Battle of Jutland, she was hit twice by the German battlecruiser Derfflinger, which caused her magazines to explode thus sinking the ship.    1,266 crewmen were lost, including Leading-Stoker Venters, who was only 25 at the time.

The remains of the shop were discovered in 1991 and rests in pieces, and in parts upside down, on the floor of the North Sea.  Is it designated as a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 as it is seen as the grave of its lost crewmen.