Ronald Charles

Family Charles was born in Calcutta, British India, the son of Thomas Edmondston Charles, later honorary physician to King Edward VII, and Ada Henrietta Charles. He had two older sisters, Bessie and Ethel, who both studied architecture and became the first women members of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Military career Charles was educated at Winchester College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, He served in the Second Boer War (1899–1901), was mentioned in despatches (31 March 1900), and received the Distinguished Service Order in November 1900. He was part of the Bazar Valley and Mohmand Field Forces in 1908. He was promoted to major general on 3 January 1923, appointed commander of the Waziristan Force in India in 1923 and then became commandant of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1924. He retired in 1934. appointed for his high level connections and knowledge of defence procurement procedures gained at the War Office and as Master General of the Ordnance.