Biography

Charles Augustus Littler (1868 - 1916) was born in Launceston on 26^th March 1868, the eldest son of Augustus East Littler and Hannah, formerly Murray. The Littlers are descended from Ranulph de Littelovre- of Cheshire. Charles was educated at the old Launceston High School before it amalgamated with the Launceston Church Grammar School.

In 1888 he moved to Devonport and took up a position as teller with the Bank of Van Diemen's Land. By 1891 this branch became insolvent and Charles went to Zeehan as manager of the branch there. Having been at the Zeehan branch for two years, Charles left and returned to Devonport.
He married Helen Cotgrave Thomas in February 1892. She was the daughter of Bartholomew William Thomas and Louisa, formerly Ashburner, both of Devonport. Charles and Helen had three sons.
For a few years he worked as a produce merchant and in 1897 he became manager of the North-West Farmers' Association in Devonport. In 1904 he became a captain with the Tasmanian Rangers. This same year he left for the Phillipines and lived in Manila until 1909 and worked as a stevedore with his brother-in-law, handling rubber and coconut merchandise. He also served with the American forces and helped supply Russian cruisers stationed in Manila Bay during the Russo-Japanese conflict. He also worked as Commercial Agent for Tasmania in the Far East, and was engaged on intelligence missions for the British Navy.
Early in 1914 Charles returned to Tasmania. He enlisted in the A.1.F. in December as lieutenant. He served in Egypt and landed at Gallipoli and was later promoted to captain. He was in the ANZAC evacuation and was one of the last to leave. He was mentioned in dispatches and awarded a well-earned the D.S.O.
In June 1916 he was posted back to France and there, at dawn on 3^rd September, on Mouquet Farm, he was mortally wounded.
Several relatives lived in Launceston and attended Holy Trinity and St John’s Church. These relatives marked his heroic passing by erecting a brass plaque in the church. The inscription reads:
IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF
CAPTAIN CHARLES AUGUSTUS LITTLER
52ND BATT. A.1.F. KILLED IN ACTION AT MOUQUET FARM
FRANCE
3RD SEPTEMBER 1916
OPERIBUS NON VERBIS
ERECTED BY HIS SISTER

Source

Extract from 'Engraved in Memory' by J.S.Gill. 1988

Australian Dictionary of Biography - Charles Augustus Murray Littler
https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/littler-charles-augustus-murray-7210
Those who came before - Charles Littler Genealogy
http://www.thosebefore.com/g1/p1111.htm
Australian War Memorial - Captain Charles Augustus Littler
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P11038220
Monument Australia - Captain Charles Littler
https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/military/display/106078-captain-charles-littler