Charles was educated at Glasgow High School and Glasgow University where he graduated M.B., C.M. in 1897. He was for some years House Physician and Surgeon at the Victoria Infirmary and thereafter House Physician at the Sick Children's' Hospital. On the outbreak of the South African War he volunteered as a civil surgeon and while in South Africa, on 14th November 1900, was granted a commission, at the rank of Lieutenant, in the R.A.M.C. He served there for the whole period of the war and received the Queen's Medal with three clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps for his services. On 14th November 1903, he was promoted to Captain, and served in Barbados from 1903 - 1905. In 1908, he became a specialist in Ophthalmology. He went back to South Africa in 1911 and remained there until the outbreak of the Great War, during which time he was promoted to Major on 14th May 1912. Charles returned to the UK in September 1914 for active service. After his return he was engaged in arduous military duties near Portsmouth but contracted pneumonia, which he never recovered from. He was the third son of Mr and Mrs John Fleming of 11 Crown Terrace, Glasgow; and the husband of Hilda Fleming of 2 St. Helen's Towers, Southsea, Hants. [Information sources: The Glasgow High School Roll (and portrait photo) - Special thanks to John Hamblin; and The Medical Officers in the British Army 1660 - 1960.]