Family Search: Company Sergeant Major Charles W. O’Connell was born on 23 October 1891, in London, Ontario, Canada as the son of Michael O’Connell and Bessie O’Connell. He registered for military service in 1914. In 1914, at the age of 23, his occupation is listed as bookkeeper in London, Ontario, Canada. He died on 15 September 1916, in Courcelette, Somme, Picardie, France, at the age of 24, and was buried in Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, Picardie, France.
Son of Mrs. Bessie O’Connell, of 404, Adelaide St., London, Ontario.
MISSING SOLDIER MAY BE IN HOSPITAL
Pte. O’Connell is Reported Wounded in Letter Written by Chum.Having read in The Free Press of Wednesday that Sergt.-Major Charles T. O’Connell was missing, Mrs. H.A. Schaefer, of 613 Dundas street, writes that a reference t him in a letter from her son, Pte. Walter Schaefer, of the 18th Battalion, would lend the impression that he was not missing, but in hospital in England.
Mrs. Shaefer writes: “A letter received yesterday morning from our son, Pte. Walter A. Schaefer, of the 18th Battalion, A Company, formerly of the 70th Battalion, says that he is all O.K. so far, but that in the last drive some were wounded and among them he mentions one of Mrs. O’Connell’s boys, and adds that ‘He was sent on to Blighty hospital in England.’ As Mrs. O’Connell told me her other son went away with the 33rd Battalion, and that Charles was with the 18th with my son. I thought perhaps this must be the one reported as missing, and the letter from my son will be forwarded to her in Halifax, where she is at present on account of her health.
“Trusting this will relieve the suspense of a mother’s heart and that the other boy is safe.
“MRS. H.A. SCHAEFER.”
Source: London Free Press. October 14, 1916. Via Allan Miller at Facebook.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
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