Military History

Charles is listed as being killed in action on 27 Sep 1918 during the Battle of Canal du Nord. The Battalion war diary for the 26th and 27th Sept are transcribed below.

Front Line 26th: The morning was spent in making the final preparations. Pioneers were sent up to fix gas-proof curtains in the dugouts in the front line. The Battalion moved off at 7pm in the following order:- No 1 Company, Bttn Headquarters, Nos 2,3 & 4 Coys. All companies reached their assembly positions without a hitch. The Battalion's objective wad the main Hindenburg Support Line, about 1000 yards east of the Canal du Nord.

Front Line 27th: At 5.20am a barrage was out down on the eastern edge of the Canal by 5 Brigade of R.F.A. The order for attacking was No 3 Coy on the right, No 4 Coy on the left, No 2 Coy is support and No 1 Coy in reserve. One platoon of No 3 Coy, however, was first detailed to capture Rat and Mouse Posts defending the old bridge across the Canal at K.9.b.3.9.

The 1st Battn Scots Guards were on the right and the 3rd Bn Grenadier Guards attacking north of the left on the west side of the Canal. The 53rd Division were to attack south from Moeuvers and join up on the left side of the battalion, until which time the No Company was detailed to form a defensive flank facing north.

Unfortunately Mouse Post presented much greater difficulties than were expected, and the whole of Nos 2 & 4 Coys were held up on the western side of the Canal. This post was finally rushed by Capt G.H. Frisby and three men, but valuable time had been lost. On account of this No 4 Coy lost the barrage, thus enabling the enemy to get their machine guns into action.

Nos 3 & 4 Coys, however, reinforced by No 2 Company pushed their way forward and reached a line about 200 yards from their ojective where they were completely held up. Bombing attacks were started but made little headway, although all hostile bombing attacks were driven off. No 1 Coy brought up ammunition and reinforced. Stokes Mortars were sent up. Lieut E.B.C. Woodbury was hit by a machine gun when near the Canal. 2nd Lt W.N. Roe and Lieut Lord. Bingham who were hit later, had to remain up in the front for at least 6 hours before they could be removed. 2nd Lieut C.H. Fitzherbert Brookholes was also hit and 2nd Lieut E.A.W. Crosse was killed later, while Lieut W.W. Gladstone was shortly afterwards killed by a sniper. All the Sergeants of No 4 Company being casualties.

About 6pm the Battalion closed and marched to the Boursies area to billet in the east end of the village and Sturgeon Support. They were met by Lieut A de L.Cazenove. Major Hon. E.K. Digby, MC left for a months leave and Lieut Col. J.C. Brand MC resumed command of the Battalion.