Charles was the youngest surviving son of the late Mr. S. Bethell, formerly a grocer of Bridge Street, Earlestown, and Mrs Bethell of Crow Lane East, Newton-le-Willows. He emigrated to Canada and joined the Canadian forces. He returned home in on furlough in 1917 while training in Britain.

As he was in the Canadian Forces, personal details are available on his Attestation Paper from when he enlisted. When he joined up on February 10th 1917, his next-of-kin was given as his wife Jane Bethel of 9, Erie Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. He was 5ft. 41/2 ins. tall with a 361/2 in. chest. He had blue eyes and fair hair with a clear complexion. His religion was given as Presbyterian, and his trade as Car Repairer. He was killed two days before his thirty first birthday.

He is buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery, in Plot IV, Row B, Grave 15. The cemetery (now De Klijte) is 8 kilometres west of Ieper. There are 1082 casualties from the First World War buried or commemorated at the site, about a quarter of whom are unidentified.