Charles and Betty marry at Kenfig Hill, South Wales in 1951.
Charles and Betty marry at Kenfig Hill, South Wales in 1951.
Charles's five children standing in front of Charles's garden studio ('The Shed') where he used to paint signs, portraits and landscapes.
Charles's five children standing in front of Charles's garden studio ('The Shed') where he used to paint signs, portraits and landscapes.
Charles's five children stand next to his old Ford Consul which we all used to pile into, the record stood at 11 people!
Charles's five children stand next to his old Ford Consul which we all used to pile into, the record stood at 11 people!
A family photo, Godfrey is looking a bit grumpy
A family photo, Godfrey is looking a bit grumpy
This is a rare photo of Charles with his 3 sisters, 2 brothers and parents, on the occasion of his parents golden wedding anniversary. (50 years)
This is a rare photo of Charles with his 3 sisters, 2 brothers and parents, on the occasion of his parents golden wedding anniversary. (50 years)
Charles and Betty's Farewell Service as they leave Holland and Belgium for the final time and return to Wales in 1995.
Charles and Betty's Farewell Service as they leave Holland and Belgium for the final time and return to Wales in 1995.
Betty and Charles celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary, 40 years.
Betty and Charles celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary, 40 years.
Charles had a very dry sense of humour and was a great story teller, he'd have you laughing in stitches one minute and you'd be close to tears the next. Get your hankies out and watch his story of how hard a catch Betty was in the Stories section of this
Charles had a very dry sense of humour and was a great story teller, he'd have you laughing in stitches one minute and you'd be close to tears the next. Get your hankies out and watch his story of how hard a catch Betty was in the Stories section of this
Charles's father James (Jim). He lived to be 11 months short of 100 years. He would walk 2 miles every day to pick up his newspaper.
Charles's father James (Jim). He lived to be 11 months short of 100 years. He would walk 2 miles every day to pick up his newspaper.
Charles shaving his father. That's grandson Richard peeping through in the background, Elizabeth's son.
Charles shaving his father. That's grandson Richard peeping through in the background, Elizabeth's son.
Betty and Charles with their first grandchild Eleanor.
Betty and Charles with their first grandchild Eleanor.
Charles and Betty surrounded by their extended family which eventually comprised 15 grandchildren.
Charles and Betty surrounded by their extended family which eventually comprised 15 grandchildren.
A portrait of Dr Martin Lloyd Jones, one of Charles's favourite preachers.
A portrait of Dr Martin Lloyd Jones, one of Charles's favourite preachers.
A painting by Charles 'Blow the Shofar'.
A painting by Charles 'Blow the Shofar'.
A portrait by Charles of a friend from Pontardawe, South Wales.
A portrait by Charles of a friend from Pontardawe, South Wales.
Charles painted Cliff Richard in his role as an ambassador for Tearfund, this was to be his last painting completed at age 90. It is to be auctioned and the proceeds will go to the Tearfund charity.
Charles painted Cliff Richard in his role as an ambassador for Tearfund, this was to be his last painting completed at age 90. It is to be auctioned and the proceeds will go to the Tearfund charity.
This is an oil painting of Mr John Evans who died age 112, the oldest man in the world at the time. Charles met him and painted him in 1987. The portrait is now held at the Swansea Museum.
This is an oil painting of Mr John Evans who died age 112, the oldest man in the world at the time. Charles met him and painted him in 1987. The portrait is now held at the Swansea Museum.
As well as portraits and landscapes Charles also made a living from sign writing. He used to do a lot of work for a haulage company called John Raymond based in Bridgend. Most sign writing these days is done with stick on letters.
As well as portraits and landscapes Charles also made a living from sign writing. He used to do a lot of work for a haulage company called John Raymond based in Bridgend. Most sign writing these days is done with stick on letters.
Charles marries his second wife Beatrice in 2001 age 80.
Charles marries his second wife Beatrice in 2001 age 80.
On the left Charles's son Noel, centre left a good friend from Holland Arie Kleijne, centre right Charles's son Joseph and Charles on the right.
On the left Charles's son Noel, centre left a good friend from Holland Arie Kleijne, centre right Charles's son Joseph and Charles on the right.
Charles with a friend at a Christian reunion in Pontypridd (his birth place), South Wales.
Charles with a friend at a Christian reunion in Pontypridd (his birth place), South Wales.
Charles visiting Beatrice (his second wife) in Taunton hospital after she fell and broke her hip.
Charles visiting Beatrice (his second wife) in Taunton hospital after she fell and broke her hip.
This photo is in Picton Court Nursing Home, Porthcawl. Beatrice was here for 6 months. They are photographed with a Vera Lynn impressionist who goes around the homes singing the old time favourites.
This photo is in Picton Court Nursing Home, Porthcawl. Beatrice was here for 6 months. They are photographed with a Vera Lynn impressionist who goes around the homes singing the old time favourites.
Charles was always keen to show off his arm wrestling prowess in his younger days, in his old age he would only take on women half his age. Daughter-in-law Karen decided it was time for a challenge, watch the video to see how she fares!
Charles was always keen to show off his arm wrestling prowess in his younger days, in his old age he would only take on women half his age. Daughter-in-law Karen decided it was time for a challenge, watch the video to see how she fares!
Huw Priday singing 'Here is Love vast as the Ocean' at the Cardiff International Arena. Charles loved to read the history of the Welsh revival and this particular song was very popular at that time.
Huw Priday singing 'Here is Love vast as the Ocean' at the Cardiff International Arena. Charles loved to read the history of the Welsh revival and this particular song was very popular at that time.
Charles, centre left, having a class photo taken in Coedpenmaen Primary School, Pontypridd. circa 1930
Charles, centre left, having a class photo taken in Coedpenmaen Primary School, Pontypridd. circa 1930
A smartly dressed, handsome young lad.
A smartly dressed, handsome young lad.
Charles as an older teenager with a couple of his pals. The person on the right was his good friend Arnold Lyness.
Charles as an older teenager with a couple of his pals. The person on the right was his good friend Arnold Lyness.
Charles owned a number of motorbikes when he was a young man.
Charles owned a number of motorbikes when he was a young man.
Charles was a keen amateur boxer. He met boxing champion Jack Dempsey in New York during the war but was not allowed to have a photograph taken with him for publicity reasons.
Charles was a keen amateur boxer. He met boxing champion Jack Dempsey in New York during the war but was not allowed to have a photograph taken with him for publicity reasons.
A dapper looking Charles in his early twenties, he is wearing the Merchant Navy emblem on the lapel of his jacket.
A dapper looking Charles in his early twenties, he is wearing the Merchant Navy emblem on the lapel of his jacket.
Charles in his early twenties
Charles in his early twenties
Charles an eligible bachelor in his mid twenties. Betty his wife still proved to be a hard catch. Watch the video where Charles explains how hard it was!
Charles an eligible bachelor in his mid twenties. Betty his wife still proved to be a hard catch. Watch the video where Charles explains how hard it was!
Charles in the Royal Fleet Auxillary uniform. This was the period when he was involved in a wartime project called PLUTO; Pipe Laying Under The Ocean.
Charles in the Royal Fleet Auxillary uniform. This was the period when he was involved in a wartime project called PLUTO; Pipe Laying Under The Ocean.
Actual photo taken of the PQ17 convoy when it came under sustained attack by German dive bombers.
Actual photo taken of the PQ17 convoy when it came under sustained attack by German dive bombers.
The SS Haulerwijk, a Dutch merchant ship that Charles served on in 1940. It was struck by a torpedo and sank. Charles, a trained gunner, tells of the loaded gun giving a final salute as the ship sinks to the bottom of the ocean.
The SS Haulerwijk, a Dutch merchant ship that Charles served on in 1940. It was struck by a torpedo and sank. Charles, a trained gunner, tells of the loaded gun giving a final salute as the ship sinks to the bottom of the ocean.
This is the 'Paulus Potter', the ship that Charles was sailing on as part of the war relief effort taking supplies to Russia. It was part of the infamous PQ17 convoy where it was disabled by the German airforce and sunk by a German U-Boat in the summer of
This is the 'Paulus Potter', the ship that Charles was sailing on as part of the war relief effort taking supplies to Russia. It was part of the infamous PQ17 convoy where it was disabled by the German airforce and sunk by a German U-Boat in the summer of
After the sinking of the 'Paulus Potter', Charles was issued a certificate that entitled him to be issued with fresh clothing and new equipment.
After the sinking of the 'Paulus Potter', Charles was issued a certificate that entitled him to be issued with fresh clothing and new equipment.
Most merchant ships had a bow gun during the war and Charles was a certified bow gunner. He told many a story of how he survived direct enemy fire.
Most merchant ships had a bow gun during the war and Charles was a certified bow gunner. He told many a story of how he survived direct enemy fire.
Charles joined the Merchant Navy as a galley boy and then slowly made his way up through the ranks to a bosun. This is his deckhand certificate.
Charles joined the Merchant Navy as a galley boy and then slowly made his way up through the ranks to a bosun. This is his deckhand certificate.
Joe shows the service medals awarded for wartime duty in the Merchant Navy. The brass inscription reads "Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep. Psalm 107:23-24"
Joe shows the service medals awarded for wartime duty in the Merchant Navy. The brass inscription reads "Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep. Psalm 107:23-24"
Order of Service - Front and back pages
Order of Service - Front and back pages
Order of Service - Centre pages
Order of Service - Centre pages
Order of Service - Insert
Order of Service - Insert
At Charles's memorial service a video collage of photos depicting his life was played on a large screen as people gathered to pay their respects. The video is available under the stories section of this memorial website.
At Charles's memorial service a video collage of photos depicting his life was played on a large screen as people gathered to pay their respects. The video is available under the stories section of this memorial website.
Charles and Betty's gravestone. The portion of scripture "Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away" is taken from Song of Solomon 4:6. Among other things it conveys the Christian's hope of a bodily resurrection and being with the Lord forevermore.
Charles and Betty's gravestone. The portion of scripture "Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away" is taken from Song of Solomon 4:6. Among other things it conveys the Christian's hope of a bodily resurrection and being with the Lord forevermore.
And finally...Charles got a mention on the ITV Wales evening news. To see the report showing the QR code on the headstone being used, click on the stories section of this website.
And finally...Charles got a mention on the ITV Wales evening news. To see the report showing the QR code on the headstone being used, click on the stories section of this website.
Charles's son Joe places flowers on his grave while being filmed for a report on BBC Wales evening news.
Charles's son Joe places flowers on his grave while being filmed for a report on BBC Wales evening news.