Charles Jeffrey was born in 1894 in Pillowell, the son of a collier. He worked in the mines after leaving school.
He enlisted in the 3rd Glosters, probably after the start of the war. The 3rd. Glosters remained in the UK throughout the war, providing drafts to other battalions. In August 1914, the Glosters left Bristol for Abbey Wood, near Woolwich. Besides training, the work of the battalion was the defence of the arsenal and to guard the huge supplies of explosives which were distributed over the Abbey Wood marshes. From September 1914 onwards, the 3rd Glosters continually supplied drafts of officers and men to the 1st Battalion and other corps, while there was always a steadily increasing flow of drafts of new officers and men for training.
In January 1915, Jeffrey deserted from Abbey Wood. It is not possible to say what motivated him, but he would have had a reason. He was listed as missing in the Police Gazette, which implies he was gone for more than 21 days. There are no enlistment and service records for him, so it is not possible to say if and when he voluntarily returned to the regiment or if he was captured and if he was punished.
However, his military pension record shows he was discharged on 22 May 1916. Pensions were only provided for those who were injured or killed fighting in the First World War. Pensions were provided for the injured soldiers themselves as well as widows and other dependents. So, it is likely he was involved in combat with another battalion abroad and was subsequently wounded.
After the war, Jeffrey returned to work at New Fancy colliery near Parkend. He married Florence Thomas in 1934 and continued to work as a collier. He died in 1971.