Charles was educated in London. He was a Porter under the City Corporation and enlisted into the Royal West Kent Regiment on 24th July 1902. Having served three years with the Colours, he joined the Reserves for nine years, then in 1912 he joined the R.A.M.C. He entered the war on 19th August 1914, attached to the 2nd Field Ambulance. When Charles was killed, he was one of a group of bearers from the 2nd Field Ambulance who were sent up to do duty with the Bearer Division of No 1 Field Ambulance. He was the son of John Sims [a Builder's Labourer] and Sarah Ann [Daughter of Jone Stone] of 8 Machell Road, Nunhead, London, S.E.