Charles Nash was born on November 21, 1918, the only son of Albert Clarence Nash (an employee of the City) and Lillian Kate (nee Kerry, born in Otford, Kent, England) Nash of 194 Elgin Street, Sarnia. Besides Charles, Albert and Lillian had four daughters. Charles attended Sarnia public schools and Sarnia Collegiate and was a member of St. George’s Anglican Church. Prior to enlisting, Charles had learned the brick-coating trade while in the employ of R.B. Bawtenheimer and was employed in Brantford and then North Bay. Charles was single at the time he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on June 23, 1941 in North Bay. Charles graduated in May of 1942 from the Mountain View R.C.A.F. School, with the rank of sergeant-air gunner. That same month, he would enjoy a leave at his home in Sarnia before going overseas. Just prior to going overseas, Arthur would have to spend some time in an Eastern Canadian hospital of the R.C.A.F. to be treated for an infected foot. In July of 1942, his parents Albert and Lillian Nash in Sarnia would receive a cable from their son Charles, telling them of his safe arrival at an English port.

Once overseas, Charles Nash would become a member of RCAF #83 squadron “Strike to Defend”, Pathfinder Force, attaining the rank of Warrant Officer Class II-Air Gunner. Approximately one year after his last visit to Sarnia, Charles would lose his life. On June 12, 1943, Charles was a member of a crew aboard Lancaster aircraft R5868 that failed to return from operations over Munster, Germany. Not long after, parents Albert and Lillian Nash in Sarnia, would receive a telegram from Ottawa that their son, Sergeant Charles Arthur Nash was reported missing after air operations overseas June 12. His parents had received a letter from their son Charles only days earlier. Perishing with Warrant Officer II-Air Gunner Charles Nash was F/O. C.G. Miller. Five of the crew, not Canadians, were reported missing and believed killed. Several weeks later, Charles Nash would officially be listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead, overseas. Twenty-four year old Charles Nash has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom, Panel 180. On the Sarnia cenotaph, his name is inscribed as G.A. Nash.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, 2C, 2D, f