Charles Lankey

Story:
Charles Lankey was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20 Dec 1895 the son of Frederick Lankey and Annie Lankey (nee Grant).  He spent his early life in West Street, Fontmell Magna, until he emigrated to Quebec, Canada, leaving from Southampton, Hampshire, on the SS Ascania on 12 Jun 1913.  He was described at the time as a Gardener.  He enlisted on the 22 Sep 1914 at Valeartier, Quebec, and joined the 12th Reserve Battalion and later the 4th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry as a Private (Service No. 11596).  He was sent to France and Flanders where he received gunshot wounds on 2 May 1915 which were sufficiently severe that he was repatriated to the UK and spent time at the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.  He was eventually declared unfit for further service and discharged back to Canada on 20 Aug 1916.   He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.   He married Margaret Louise Walsh on 19 Nov 1929 in Brantford, Brant, Ontario, Canada.   His death was recorded in 1962 in Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario, and there is a local press obituary dated 7 Feb 1962.  His brother, Hugh Grant Lankey, also served in the conflict.