Charles was 4 years younger than his brother Isiah. He was born in Stamford in 1896 and in 1911 he was 15 and was living with his widowed father John Wade, an iron finisher in a foundry making agricultural implements, at 27 St Paul’s Street (now demolished). His mother, Elizabeth M A Wade (nee Monk) had recently died in January 1911. His parents had eleven surviving children. Three had died. All the family had been born in Stamford.

At the time of the 1911 Census six children were still at home. His eldest sister, Sarah, and two of her children were visiting from their home in Toxteth (Liverpool) . Isiah was a fitter’s apprentice, Albert , an elder brother was a moulder, Mary Jane was a housekeeper at home and Kate was a servant. Charles was an errand boy and Harry, aged 11, was at school. They also shared their home with a boarder, Thomas Hanwell ( a labourer).

When the 1914-18 War broke out Charles enlisted joining the Lincolnshire Regiment. Private Charles Henry Wade on his medal awards record has three regimental numbers (3163, 20090 & 40680) indicating he moved within the regiment. He qualified to be posted on 25th May 1915. He gained the Victory & British Medals , and the 1915 Star – details of his service have not been located.

When he was ‘killed in action’ on 7th September 1918 he was serving in France with the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. His regimental number was 40680. The date indicates his death occurred during the 1918 Allied Advance to Victory – 100 days Offensive, probably during the taking of the heavily defended Hinderburg Line. This was during the final weeks of the war.

Charles’ final resting place is not known but his name was finally added on 8th August 2010 to the memorial at the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, Departement du Pas–de- Calais, France.

He is also remembered on the Lincolnshire Regiment Roll of Honour, the Stamford Memorial and St George’s Memorial.