Charles Sandilands was born on the 27th June 1878? at 21 Monkton Road, Jarrow to James Sandilands, [born Edinburgh 1850], a Caulker, and his wife Anne, or Annie, [nee Murray], born 1851, Scotland, daughter of a Hugh Murray, born 1811, and Margaret Murray, born 1820.

James Sandilands was one of ten children.

Charles's parents were married on the 22nd June 1870 at Jarrow. In 1871 they were residing at 35 South Street Row, Jarrow, they had ten children in which seven lived and three died. Matthew, born July 1874 died 1951, Robert, born June? 1884, Thomas born 17th June 1872, Margaret, born 1887 at Hebburn, George, born Wallsend 1889, Wiliam, born October 1891, died 1902, John born 1872, and Ann born 1876 but died in 1903. In 1891 they were residing at 13 Havelock Place Sunderland.

By 1901 the family had moved to 26 Spring Garden Lane, Sunderland.

Charles attested into the East Yorkshire Regiment on the 21st August 1895 at Sunderland. Service number 5154 Private. He was 5 feet 4 and an eighth inches tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His trade was described as a Labourer. 2 Flags cross and an anchor Tattoo on his left forearm. His residence address was 129 Hendon Road, Sunderland.

On the 22nd August he was at the Victoria Barracks, Beverley where he joined the Regiment at their Base Depot.

He was placed into the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. On the 27th November 1895 Charles was transferred into the 2nd Battalion. On the 30th he was then returned back into the 1st Battalion.

On the 30th November 1897, he was aboard the Simla ship number 108343, troopship leaving Southampton for India and spends the next 9 years and 344 days in India as part of his service.

The battalion was based at Belgaum, then in July 1899 the battalion was based at Madras. By the 19th November 1904 it was located at Shwebr.

He earned an increase in his pay from the 18th November 1899, by 1d for good conduct. This was forfeited on the 5th February 1900, whilst Charles was awaiting trial. On the 8th August 1900 he was tried and imprisoned for 56 days being returned to duty on the 3rd October 1900.

1st April 1902 he earned another G. C. pay rise of 1d and was appointed a Lance-Corporal on the 22nd November 1902 still in the 1st Battalion. On the 27th April 1903 he reverted back to a private. On the 12th September 1904 he was awaiting another trial where he was imprisoned for 112 days returning to duty on the 16th January 1905.

On the 17th January 1906 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. However, prior to this he was imprisoned again for another 14 days on orders of the Commanding Officer.

He returned home to the UK on the 9th November 1907 completing a total Army service of 12 years 83 days, of which 9 years and eleven months were served in India.

Charles was now in the Army Reserve section D, from the 2nd December 1907.

On the 1st April he married Isabella Bowden at Sunderland who resided at 37 High Street, Sunderland.

He was discharged from the Reserves on the 1st December 1911, at York, after his 4 years in the Reserves.

On the 12th November 1905, there is an entry in his papers about a severe wound, no details given but a comment that simply says, 'Not on Duty'.

In 1911 he was residing with his wife at 26 New Grey Street, Sunderland.

Charles re enlisted on the 10th June 1914 at Sunderland, his age was now 37 years and 75 days. He was enlisted into the 4th [Extra Reserve battalion], formerly the 2nd North Durham Militia, Durham Light Infantry who were based at Fenham Barracks, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The 4th Battalion’s main role was to train recruits for active service overseas. Men, recovering from ill-health or from wounds received on the Western Front, were also sent to the battalion as part of their re-training.

He was trained from the 15th June until the 11th July 1914. Charles was mobilised on the 6th August 1914 and was promoted to a Corporal on the 18th September 1914 whilst still in the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. His service number was 8613, becoming 369123 later when renumbered.

Charles was posted on the 1st November 1914, part of the 5th wave of reinforcements then, with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry to France. He was posted back to the Depot on the 4th December 1915, and then posted back into the 4th Battalion on the 30th December 1915. Corporal Charles Sandilands was transferred in the 10th [Service] Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry on the 13th April 1916 to France.

On the 30th March 1917, Charles was awaiting trial by FGCM.

Eight days later he was tried for 1) Leaving his post 2) Drunkenness.

He was found guilty and was reduced in rank to a private, sentenced also to 21 days Field Punishment No 1, on the 9th April 1917. The Field punishment was later reduced to 21 days No 2.

On the 8th September 1917 as a private he was transferred to the 282nd Company a unit of the Labour Corps.

On the 26th November 1917 Charles was transferred to the 301st Labour Company. He was finally discharged on the 28th March 1919. When he was discharged he gave his residence address as 3 Old Grey Street Sunderland. Discharged being surplus to Military requirements. (Not having suffered impairment since entry into the service).

Charles was awarded the 1914 and Clasp Medal as well as the War and Victory Medal.

Charles had completed a total of 16 years and 83 days of active service.

Charles Sandilands died on the 12th January 1931.