238184 Capt. Robert Roderick Charter MC, MiD.South African Defence Force 2nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade, No.5 Battery Artillery from:Pretoria Robert Charter was born in Pretoria, South Africa, on the 11th April 1918. He studied Chemistry and Biology at Pietermaritzburg College, Natal University, and the University of Cape Town, gaining a Batchelor of Science and a Master of Science degrees. From August 1938 he worked for the South African Government in the Division of Fisheries in Commerce & Industries until he volunteered for active service in April 1940 when he was commissioned into the 2nd Anti Aircraft Brigade. He married Hazel on the 15th August. He was captured near Tobruk and later escaped and was seconded to the British Army.
For his actions as a prisoner of war Robert Charter was awarded the Military Cross. From 1943 to 1945 he was a Major with the 43rd British Infantry Brigade, leaving Italy in July 1944 and posted to North-West Europe in January 1945. It was here that Charter was Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of "gallant and distinguished services". He returned to South Africa after the war and was a Company Director in Johannesburg, remaining on the lists of Union Defence Force reservists until 1970.
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