Biography:
1. Charles Gale was a Carpenter (1st Class) who was paid £1.9.9d for work carried out by the Engineers' Department in the Manufactory between the 15th and 21st July 1809, according to Supply 5/228 dated the 21st July 1809. WO54/587 dated the 1st October 1833, recorded that on the 27th July 1796, he was in "Contractors Employ".
2. Gale rejoined the Board on the 8th March 1822, as a Carpenter in the Engineers' Department, and this may be the date he was appointed on the Establishment - see below for pensionable service.
3. WO54/542 dated the 1st April 1823, stateed that Charles was paid 4/1d per day as a Carpenter for 313 days, giving him an income of £63.18.1d for the year. He was aged 39, living in Waltham Abbey and had 6 children. He appeared to have been taken on the Establishment with other Carpenters on the 8th March 1822, but it is odd that his name does not appear in the records between 1809 and 1822, since this Return shows that he had just over 27 years' service, starting on the 27th July 1796.
4. WO54/550 dated the 1st April 1825, confirmed that Charles was still paid 4/1d per day for 313 days as a Carpenter, and this gave him an annual income of £63.18.1d. His service was just over 29 years, he was aged 41, was married and had 6 children.
5. WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825, confirmed the previous entry. It also recorded that Charles had been employed by a contractor who had worked at the Mills on the 17th May 1796.
6. WO54/554 dated 1st April 1826, recorded identical information as in Notes 4 and 5, with the exception that he was then a 42-year-old with service of just over 30years. In addition, he then had 7 children.
7. WO54/554 dated the 1st October 1826 confirmed the previous Return.
8. WO54/558 dated 1st April 1827 confirmed the information given in the notes above, although at that date Mr. Gale had just over 31 years' service and was then 43. In addition, he then had 8 children.
9. WO54/558 dated 1st October 1827 recorded no basic alterations from the previous Return.
10 Return dated the 1st April 1828 (WO54/562) updated the basic information as in the notes above, except that Charles then had 9 children.
11 Return dated the 1st October1828 (no reference given) updated his age and length of service, family details and pay remaining unchanged. This Return also recorded that he had trained as a Carpenter.
12 WO54/566 dated 1st April 1829 confirmed that Charles at that date still earned the same as in Note 4. His length of service was given as just over 33 years, and he was then 45 years of age.
13 Return dated 1st October 1829 (WO54/566) updated his age and length of service, family and pay details remaining unaltered.
14 According to Return WO54/570 dated the 1st April 1830, all details remained the same for Charles as in Note 4, except that his service was 34 years and he was aged 46.
15 Return WO54/570 dated the 1st October 1830 confirmed that Charles was still a Carpenter with family details and salary unchanged, but length of service and age were updated.
16 A Return of Persons belonging to the Civil Establishment of the Ordnance at the Gunpowder and Small Arms Manufactories at Waltham Abbey, Faversham and Enfield showing in detail the several points of information called for by the Master General and Board's Order dated the 31st January 1831, recorded that Charles Gale was one of the 7 Carpenters to be employed at Waltham Abbey Powder Mills and the Enfield Small Arms Factory, and that he was to be paid 4/1d per day. He was required to undertake general services as a Carpenter in the Manufactory "requiring great care, attention, sobriety etc."
17 WO54/575 dated the 1st April 1831, updated his age and period of service in the October 1830 Return, with all other details remaining unchanged.
18 WO54/575 dated October 1831, confirmed that Charles Gale still earned 4/1d per day as indicated in Note 16, giving him a total of £63.18.1d per annum. He had then served nearly 36 years and was aged 48.
19 WO54/581 dated the 1st April 1832 updated his age and period of service in the October 1831 Return, all other details remaining unaltered.
20 WO54/581 dated 1st October 1832, confirmed that Mr. Gale still earned £63.18.1d per annum. His service was given as nearly 37 years, and at that date he was aged 49 years, was married and had 9 children.
21 WO54/587 dated the 1st April 1833, confirmed the information given in Note 20.
22 WO54/587 dated 1st October 1833, recorded that his basic details remained unchanged, but his age and length of service were updated.
23 WO54/593 dated 1st April 1834 confirmed that Charles still earned a total of £63.18.1d per annum, that he was nearly 51, and that his service was just over 38 years.
24 In 1839 he was still paid 4/1d per day, with an estimated annual income of £63.18.1d. He was a 56-year-old married man with then only 8 children, living in Waltham Abbey. He had 17 years' service (WO54/623 dated the 1st October 1839). See also notes on John Cooper.
25 The 1841 Census recorded that Charles Gale, Carpenter, and his wife, Ann, were living on the south side of High Bridge Street, together with their son Edward (aged 20) who was a Brushmaker, son William (aged 15) and daughter Tabitha (aged 11).
