Charles joined the Royal Airforce and was sent to Saskatchewan, Canada to train with Royal Canadian Air Force as part of the vast Commonwealth Air Training Plan. As a pupil pilot at No. 34 Elementary Flying Training School, Assiniboia, he lost his life on 1 July 1943 during a training exercise far from home.
On that day, he was aboard Cornell I trainer FH976 on a dual instruction flight. During a manoeuvre involving unauthorised low flying, the aircraft stalled in a climbing turn and crashed five miles south of Willows, Saskatchewan. Charles was killed in the crash.
Charles lies buried in Assiniboia (Mount Hope) Cemetery, Canada.
