Charles Samuel Irons was born in January 1898 in Luton, the only child of Samuel & Beatrice.

In 1911 Charles is living with his builder father & mother at 60a Park Street. The head of the household is Arthur Funnell, Beatrice's father, (Charles' grandfather) who is a furniture dealer.

An article in the Luton News on 20th February 1919 tells us that Charles was awarded the Military Cross, but could not give much detail. A report in The London Gazette dated 9th December that year reveals more information: