| Service # | 54246 |
| Unit # | 18th Bn., Imperial Army |
| Resident | Blenheim |
Regimental number: 54246 18th Bn. Imperial Army. Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 9946-50, Item: 291089, PDF: B9946-S050.
Born in Hustings, Dover, England 15 July, 1891. The son of Samuel Vidler of Witherenden Cottages, Stone Gate, Tichurst, England. His mother Mrs. S. Vidler was living at Withineu Hill, Burwash, Sussex, England. He immigrated to Canada in 1913 looking for work in the farming industry. At the time he was living at R.R. #2 Blenheim.
Charles enlisted in the CEF on 22 February, 1915 at London, ON. at the age of 23 years, 7 months. 5’ 11”, Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown. He was considered “Fit” 22/02/1914 at London, ON. to the 18th Battalion, and he served overseas in the 18th Battalion, CEF.
He sailed from Halifax aboard the S.S. Grampion. Disembarked in France at Boulonge 15/09/15.
Charles ran into some small infractions of Army rules, 19/01/16 with the 18th Batt. – stopped pay for the loss of two Helmets – “In the field”. Once again on 16/06/16 docked 2 days pay for “Failing to comply with camp orders.”
Charles proceeded to England 4/04/1919 sailing home to Canada aboard the S. S. Caronia sailing from Liverpool 14/05/1919. He was discharged 24/05/1919 at No.1 Dist. Depot. The 27/05/19 he was given the rank of Sergeant after passing his exams 8/04/1919.
Reported returned from O/S duty 24 May 1919 at London, ON. ‘Demobilzation’ to Blenheim, ON. CDP 25/05/19, BFL.
A note from a family member reported that he went back to England, perhaps to wed Molly who came to Canada in 1919 and he took with him from a bombed church, a communion cup and an altar cloth. They moved back to Guilds.
After the war he returned to Guilds, ON. where he farmed and met and married Lorraine “Molly” (nee Paterson) in 1920 and they had four sons and a daughter. They lost that farm to a winter storm. They moved outside of Erieau and farmed there until the farm was flooded in the Great storm of 1929. Then the Dyke Road was built.
They moved again to Erieau, bought a house and fixed it up. A drunk came home next door and put coal oil in his stove and caught his home on fire. Charles was the fire chief and had to fight his fire which also caught Charles’ home on Fife.
They got another house and moved it to the same spot his other house was on.
He then joined the Lake Erie Navigation Company as a hoist engineer and was also the Fire Chief in 1930 and a police Constable.
Charles passed away in 9 December 1953 of a heart attack.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (25-05-1919), Blenheim Freedom Library, LAC-FF |
| Height | 5'11" |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Age | 23 yrs. 7 mths. |
| Complexion | Fair |
| Hair | Brown |
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