Charles Colin Standish – Canadian Infantry, 19th Battalion

Lieutenant Charles Colin Standish – Canadian Infantry, 19^th Battalion

Early Life and Family Background

Charles Colin Standish

Another man commemorated on the Mumbles War Memorial, about whom comparatively little is known, is Charles Colin Standish. He was born in Swansea in 1888, the son of Charles Standish and Annie Standish.

The Standish family claimed descent from the ancient Standish de Standish lineage, a family whose ancestry can be traced back to the 12th century.

Emigration and Enlistment

Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Charles emigrated to Canada. He enlisted in the Canadian Army on 11^th November 1914, giving his home address as 118 Chatham Street, Brantford, Ontario, and his occupation as Clerk. He served with the Canadian Infantry, 19^th Battalion (Central Ontario Regiment).

Gallantry and the Military Medal

In October 1916, Charles Colin Standish was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry. The London Gazette recorded the award with the following citation:

“For exceptional gallantry and energetic devotion to duty while in charge of a Lewis Gun. He continued to use it with telling effect after all other members of the crew had become casualties. When the gun became disabled he had it speedily repaired and went forward with the attacking force to the final objective, where the gun was used continuously for some hours. He displayed great coolness and good judgement throughout the operations.”

His conduct during this action marked him out as a capable and courageous soldier, and he was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant.

Service in France and Death

By May 1917, the 19th Battalion was serving as part of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division, during the Battle of Arras, following the successful Canadian assault on Vimy Ridge in April. Although the ridge had been captured, the weeks that followed were marked by heavy fighting, as German forces launched frequent counter-attacks and maintained intense artillery fire in an effort to regain lost ground.

Charles Colin Standish
Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Éloi, France
credit - Government of Canada

On 9^th May 1917, the battalion was operating in the area around Mont-St-Éloi, engaged in holding and consolidating newly won positions north of Arras. The fighting during this period was characterised by persistent shelling, patrol actions, and defensive engagements in exposed trench systems, resulting in steady casualties even in the absence of a major assault.

It was during these operations that Lieutenant Charles Colin Standish was killed in action on 9^th May 1917. He is buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Éloi, France, close to where he fell.

Commemoration

Western Mail

Herald of Wales

South Wales Daily Post

News of his death was reported in the Western Mail, Herald of Wales, and the South Wales Daily Post, ensuring that his sacrifice was recorded both locally and nationally.