Charles William's Story.
Charles was born in 1893 in Birkenhead, the son of the William Baille Arkle, a shipping agent, and Margaret J Arkle. Charles attended Birkenhead School and subsequently served an apprenticeship at Cammell Laird's becoming a qualified marine engineer. His uncle, Arthur Henry Arkle, was Mayor of Birkenhead between 1909 and 1910.In 1909 he joined the Territorial Army with the 4th Cheshire Regiment. Following the outbreak of war Charles enlisted in the Royal Engineers, in October 1914, as part of motor cyclist section, and embarked to France in July 1915. Early in 1916 he was discharged from the Royal Engineers after having been appointed to a commission in the Royal Flying Corps, and returned to England in March 1917. After qualifying in aerial observation in England, he returned to France in January 1918.
Charles was killed near Boulogne on September 27, 1918, as a result of an accident, while starting up an aeroplane in order to test the engine, he slipped and was struck by the propeller.
Research by Chris