b. 17/06/1828 Shipton Gorge, Dorset. d. 1909 Arundel, Sussex.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 11/06/1866 Burton Bradstock, Dorset.
Charles Sprankling AM
Charles was one of six children born to Robert and Elizabeth Sprankling (nee Lake). Charles joined the Royal Navy as a Boy and served on various ships until 1852, when he became a Coastguard at Burton Bradstock, Dorset. He married Margaret McMullan on 6th January 1852, and they had five children (3 sons, 2 daughters). He was appointed Chief Officer at Budleigh Salterton, Devon in June 1879, following his long service in Dorset. He retired from the Coastguard Service in 1879, and moved with his family to Arundel, where he became a lodge keeper at the Castle, the seat of the Duke of Norfolk. His wife died in 1889, and for the latter part of his life, he was cared for by his daughter Margaret. He died in 1909 in Arundel.
AM CITATION:
On the 11th June, 1866, the fishing boat containing five men ran for the beach at Burton. As she touched it, a heavy sea struck her and threw her upon the crew. CHARLES SPRANKLING, a Commissioned Boatman, of the Burton Coast Guard station, who was near the spot, managed by great exertion and at some risk to himself, to raise the side of the boat which was washing backwards and forwards in a heavy surf, and thus enabled three of the men to get from under her. The other two men, who had been injured by the gear in the boat, drifted into deep water, when RAWLING, who is a good swimmer, rushed into the sea and succeeded in bringing first one and then the other safely to land, but apparently lifeless. He then followed . the directions given for treating the apparently drowned, and when the men had somewhat recovered sent them to their homes, and sent also for medical attendance. In rendering this service SPRANKLING was unaided, as the men who succeeded in getting from under the boat were too exhausted to render him any assistance.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
