He enlisted in October 1941 at the age of 19 with the Canadian Armoured Corps, and after receiving his commission, proceeded overseas in July 1942. After serving as a reinforcement officer in North Africa, Charles volunteered for transfer to the RCAF and by 1944 he had completed 22 raids over enemy territory with his crew.

On October 14th, 1944, the Halifax Bomber of the Alouette Squadron 425 he was flying in failed to return from a mission over Duisberg, Germany. His Halifax Bomber had been shot down and Charles was reported missing. About a year later Charles was officially declared dead. After the war his remains were found at the crash site. He is buried at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany.