Image: Charles, Edith, and their children, ca. 1926 (SPRA fonds 670)
Regimental Number: 10784; 373463
Rank: Corporal
Regiment: 2nd Sherwood Foresters; Army Service Corps
Charles “Harry” Sims was born on February 18, 1890 in Spondon, Derbyshire, England. He joined the Sherwood Foresters at the age of 18. He fought in the battles at Mons and Aisne, where his foot was injured. On February 22, 1915 he was discharged from the army because of his injuries, but in 1918 he reenlisted as a truck driver. On June 23, 1921, Charles married Edith Annie Puckering. Charles had developed malaria while stationed in Malta and his doctor told him his lungs could no longer handle the moist English air. In 1926, he, his wife, and their three children (Edith was also pregnant with twins at the time) sailed to Canada and settled east of Grande Prairie, where Charles had been given land by the Soldier Settlement Plan. His land was located at NW 28-79-13-W6. They eventually moved to Magrath, Alberta, where Charles died on July 25, 1975.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 236; a few news clippings
- Attestation Paper, Sherwood Foresters (1908)
- Attestation Paper, Army Service Corps (1918)
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Letter, pages 1 & 4 (Oct. 10, 1914)
- Letter, pages 2 & 3 (Oct. 10, 1914)
- Military History
- Sims Family fonds
- Find A Grave
Soldier Spotlight highlights veterans from the Archives’ online Soldiers’ Memorial. Each week, our volunteers select a remarkable individual to showcase in this blog series. The Soldiers’ Memorial commemorates more than 1,100 WWI veterans and 2,300 WWII veterans from our region. Three dedicated volunteers have contributed over 1,200 hours to this project by researching and writing biographies. Our goal is to have all South Peace soldiers acknowledged for their service. If you know of someone who lived in the South Peace and should be listed on the Memorial, or would like to get involved by researching a local veteran, please contact the Archives.