Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Pilgrim, a bricklayer, born 1845 in Hinckley, Leics., and his wife Fanny Pilgrim (nee Seller, married in the 4th quarter of 1865 in the Hinckley, Leics. district), born 1849 in Barwell, Leics. Charles Seller was a schoolboy and was born on the 14th November 1885 in Hinckley, Leics., his siblings were, William Henry, a general servant, born 1870, Marie, a tailor’s machine operator, born 1873, George H., a shoe trade riveter, born 1875, Ann Elizabeth, a tailor’s machine operator, born 1878, Catherine Imeldia, a schoolgirl, born 1881, Rosa Imelda, a schoolgirl, born 1883, Sarah Ellen, a schoolgirl, born 1887 and Betsy Amelia, born 1890, all his siblings were born in Hinckley, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Priory Row, Hinckley, Leics. In March 1901 Charles was employed as a coal labourer and was residing in the family home at Taylors Yard, 2, Castle Street, Hinckley, Leics., together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother, a domestic nurse and his sister, Betsy. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at The Narrows, The Lawns, Hinckley, Leics., residing there was his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Sarah, a hosiery trade worker and Betsy, a hosiery trade mender, also residing with the family were his niece and nephew, Amelia Lily Pilgrim, a hosiery trade turner, born 1897 and Stephen William Pilgrim, a schoolboy, born 1901, both were born in Hinckley, Leics. Charles enlisted into the Royal Marine Artillery on the 15/1/04 in Nottingham, and was allocated the service number 10728. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 9½ inches in height, his complexion was described as pale, his hair colour was dark brown and he had blue eyes. He gave his date and place of birth as 14th November 1885 in Hinckley, Leics., he gave his trade or calling as brickyard labourer and his religion as Roman Catholic. He gave his father, Thomas of 2, The Narrows, The Lawns, Hinckley, Leics., as his next of kin. His record of service began when he joined the Royal Marine Artillery as a Private on the 15/1/04 – 6/9/04, when he was promoted to Gunner 2nd Class and transferred. Royal Marine Artllery, 7/9/04 – 31/7/05, when he embarked. HMS Venerable, 1/8/05 – 10/12/07, when he was transferred. Royal Marine Artillery, 11/12/07 – 9/3/08, when he embarked. HMS Shannon, 10/3/08 – 28/2/10, when he was transferred. Royal Marine Artillery, 1/3/10 – 23/6/10, when he embarked. HMS Vengeance, 24/6/10 – 5/8/10, when he was transferred. Royal Marine Artillery, 6/8/10 – 16/9/10, when he embarked. HMS New Zealand, 17/9/10 – 3/8/11, when he transferred. Royal Marine Artillery, 4/8/11 – 29/9/11, when he embarked. HMS Prince of Wales, 30/9/11 – 18/4/13, when he was transferred. Royal Marine Artillery, 19/4/13 – 9/7/13, when he embarked. HMS Euralyus, 10/7/13 – 15/8/13, when he was transferred. Royal Marine Artillery, 16/8/13 – 1/9/13, when he embarked. HMS Defence, 2/9/13 – 26/3/16, when he died of pneumonia.