Surgeon Probationer Walter F. Charteris trained with the scouts for 7 years, receiving a promotion to Scout Master. He was in the Signal Corps of the 24th Kent Regiment from 1912 to 1915, and was the leader of the Scout Highland Band during 1914. He trained in Toronto with the C.O.T.C. in 1915.

Surgeon Probationer Walter F. Charteris volunteered his services in January 1916, but was rejected due to throat trouble. He enlisted as Surgeon Probationer in April 1918 with the R.N.V.R. going overseas May 24th, 1918. His headquarters was at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport he trained until July 1918, and he was assigned as the Surgeon on H.M.S. Lark, a destroyer. He transferred in October, with the rank of Surgeon Sub. Lieutenant, to H.M.S. Vidette, a destroyer of the Grand Fleet.

The son of the late Dr. C. R. Charteris. During the first war served as a Acting – ‘medical officer’. The war interrupted his university studies for service in the Great War. He secured a commission in then infant Royal Canadian Navy being attached to the medical section. He served on a PT vessel for a submarine chaser. 

He would return to his medical studies and commenced practice in Chatham which he did until his faith failed. During WWII Dr. Charteris served as medical officer in the 2^nd. Kent Battalion under the command of the late Lt. Col. Grant Thompson.

Was survived by his wife Thelma, his son Dr. Richard Charteris, grandson Richard Walter and Miss Gwen Charteris.

Chatham Daily Planet: – 18/12/18. “Chatham Officer With British Navy – Witnessed Surrender Of German Fleet.”  Surgeon Sub Lieut. Walter Charteris, son of the late Dr. C.R. Charteris and Mrs. Charteris, who has been serving in the Canadian and  British Navy, a witness of the surrender of the German fleet in the North Sea and in a letter received by his uncle., Frank Charteris. He gives an interesting account of the great naval event 

The Chatham officer expects to spend Christmas in Germany as he has been assigned to duty with one of the destroyers that will go to Germany possibly with the object  of enforcing various naval clauses of the armistice Agreement follows 

The letter from the Chatham officer Follows:

Just received your most welcome letter of Nov. 4^th . The mails are much better now that the convoys have stopped and the seas are free from the petrol submarines 

No doubt you will be interested in the surrender of the Hun fleet. We put to sea shortly before  down, the whole of the Grand Fleet. Everything was silent, the silence so typical of the Navy. The Huns were coming to surrender it is true; but at times like that unexpected things might happen, and many men anticipated trouble. Had it come moreover, it would not have been unwelcome – nor would any act of treachery found us unprepared. We have learned to never trust the Huns 

About 50 miles from May land, we just sighted the Hun fleet. was in the advanced guard with several other Destroyers and eight cruisers. We immediately went to “action Stations” making ready for anything that might happen. Any moment the “regrettable incident” might occur if so – every Hun ship would have been sent to the bottom, and then the gun business completed there have been a race to save the lives of the enemy in the water. Such is the British Naval Jack – that is the way they are built and what the traditions of the service have made him. Quite different in Comparison with the Hun sailors, isn’t  

As the Hun drew nearer, the British Fleet drew themselves up into two parallel lines of steel and Fritz, headed by our advance squadron passed down the center flying his white flag of surrender. Some of the Hun ships had not been out since the battle of Jutland.16 and this was their last trip under the German flag. When they let go their anchors they ceased to exist as a fighting force. Ti was the greatest tragedy and victory in history – this “tame surrender of a fleet, which had been built to secure for Germany the domination of the high seas 

At noon the ceremonial ended by the signal from the Commander -in-Chief, Sir David Beatty in the words: “The German ensign is to be hauled down at sunset to-day (Thursday) and may not be hoisted again without permission.”

I have only now returned from Scapa where we escorted the last of the interment. We were along of 5 of their battle cruisers “Van Datan”; “Moltke”, “Seydlitz” “Hindenburgh” and “Derflinger”.

I leave to-mow for Kiel Canal, Baltic and Germany, for four weeks. We are going with HMS Hercules and three other “V” destroyers. A signal has been issued to German High Seas fleet “requesting we be allowed passage through Kiel Canal to the Baltic and Germany.

You can in imagine how pleasant a Christmas I shall have in Germany under present food conditions and civil unrest. It will be rather dangerous trip on account of German mines; but we shall get by all O.K.I am sure.  Hope someone take a pot shot at us, so that we can train our guns onto German soil. It is unlikely I  shall be back until after New Years and as none of my Xmas boxes have arrived as yet they will come in time and I can hold an Xmas celebration anyway.

I expect to be back in Canada some time in February if all goes well. Believe me, it cannot come too soon, dry-land looks pretty good to me at times 

As this is the only opportunity I shall have of writing you for three or four weeks, et me wish you and yours the Merriest of Xmas and a bright and successful New Year.

Your sincere nephew,

Walter. Surgeon Sub. Lieut. H.M.S. VIDETTE.       

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

IODE, Chatham Daily Planet (02-11-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (02-11-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (18-12-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (05-03-1919), Found at: CDN, Physician Tribute, Chatham Daily Planet (28/11/18)

Height	5' 10"
Eye Colour	Gray
Age	20
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Brown
Race	White
Birthplace	Chatham, Ontario
Religion	Presbyterian
Last Place of Employment	Medical Student, Toronto, University.
Marital Status	Single
When Enlisted	April 20th, 1918
Where Enlisted	Toronto, Ontario
Next of Kin	Mother- Mrs. Margaretta Charteris, Chatham, Ontario. Sister- Gwendoline Charteris.

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.