Charles Valentine Lester

Rank:

Chaplain

Unit at enlistment:

9th Brigade

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Commemorated at:

St. Luke Anglican Church

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Devonshire

Birth city:

Kingsbridge

Address at enlistment:

158 Elgin Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

21 Brock Street, Bath, England

Trade or calling:

Reverend

Employer:

St. Luke's Anglican Church

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

Miscellaneous

BX July 15, 1916

Appreciate Canadians – Reverend C.V. Lester Comments on Military Life in England

“Wherever you go in England you will find a keen appreciation of what the Canadians are doing in this war. Anything they can do over there to show their appreciation they are only too glad to do” was one of the impressions of England in war time brought back to Brantford by Captain Charles Valentine Lester, formerly rector of St. Luke’s Anglican Church here.

In November 1915, Captain Lester went over to England and joined the 9th reserve brigade as chaplain. This brigade was commanded by Colonel E.C. Ashton, and is now known as the 3rd training brigade. After eight months service with the training brigade Capt. Lester resigned with the request that he be sent overseas.

As he had to come back to Canada to resign he landed back her two weeks ago. After two weeks spent at St. Andrew’s Quebec, he arrived in Brantford yesterday. Captain Lester will now take up his duties in St. Luke’s church unless ordered to go overseas with a battalion.

Everything is going fine in England now, according to Capt. Lester. Since conscription came into force things have been going along smoothly. Everyone there feels certain that the Allies will win and absolutely nothing can stop them. There is no sacrifice they are not prepared to make in England to see the successful termination of the bloody struggle.

Under Colonel Ashton things go as with “greased wheels” at the brigade camp at West Sandling. All the men, said Capt. Lester, appreciate the fact that Col. Ashton is over them. No more popular brigadier is to be found at Shorncliffe. His brother Major Ashton, has also done splendid work, but was in the hospital when Capt. Lester left.

The 36th Battalion is now practically at an end, having been drained by repeated drafts. Capt. Lester saw Lieut. Harris Walsh in England on leave shortly before he left and was enjoying the life. Although Capt. Lester was born in England, he thinks the climate in Canada is preferable.

The recent drive of the Allies had not started when Capt. Lester left England. The feeling in England at the time appeared to be that if all the Allies co-operated and began to press the enemy altogether they would have them. In the opinion of Capt. Lester the Allies are now for the first time superior to the Germans.