Father Charles was born at Marlborough on May 1st 1921, and educated at Ampleforth College.  He entered the community there in September 1939 and was ordained in 1949. During his studies he took a degree in History at Oxford.   A meticulous Master of Ceremonies at the Abbey, Father Charles moved to Gilling Castle Preparatory School where he taught for three years before going to serve as a curate first at Workington and then at Bamber Bridge.  He was made parish priest of Our Lady and St. Gerard, Lostock Hall, in 1968, and remained there until his sudden death from a heart attack on Tuesday 2nd August.

Father Charles did tremendous work with the SVP, as was witnessed by the presence of the National President at his funeral along with the President of the Central Council for Salford and Liverpool. He seldom missed a meeting of the Parish Conference of the SVP and played a full part in all the conference activities, becoming Spiritual Director of the District Council of the SVP and of the Central Council.

For many years he served as a member of the National Council SVP who gave him the task of promoting the cause of Frederick Ozanam. He was internationally known and respected, attending the international plenary meetings of the Society.

Father Charles was also very much involved with the Knights of St. Columba, and had it not been for his illness before his death, would have been present with them, on Pilgrimage in Lourdes, at the time of his death. It was most appropriate that Father Charles was parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes parish, and that he would have been
in Lourdes at the time of his death, as he had a very great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.

He had a friendly attitude and approach to people - especially to the sick elderly and disabled - his apostleship was giving his time - himself - to people. Arriving at Lostock Hall during the 2nd Vatican Council it fell to him to implement the Council's wishes in the parish which he did with great success as can be seen by the organisations and lay involvement lie left behind. All this was done with great precision, perhaps the precision due from a person whose great hobbies were the Railways of the country and the Cinema industry.  His death leaves a great void in the parish of Lostock Hall and the Ampleforth community.