Charles enlisted on 8th January 1915 and was embodied into the East Anglian Casualty Clearing Station, Territorial Force. He was 28 years and 7 months old, and was living at 23 South Road, Saffron Walden, Essex at the time. He embarked on the "Royal Edward" at Devonport on 30th July 1915, then arrived at Alexandria on the 11th August. He set sail to Gallipoli the next day. Charles's body was never found and was believed to have drowned on the sinking of H.M.T. "Royal Edward" on passage from Alexandria to Gallipoli. He was the son of Martha Ann Gardiner of 23 South Road, Saffron Walden, and the late Charles Walter Gardiner.