Chaplain and Honorary Captain Reverend Charles Valentine Lester, was born on 2 April 1877 in Kingsbridge, Ontario. He had four years prior service as a volunteer Lance-Sergeant in Devonshire. He was living at 158 Elgin Street, Brantford, Ontario, just across the street from St. Luke’s Anglican Church. His parents lived at 21 Brock Street, Bath, England. He was single, and 39 years old. Reverend Lester stood 6 feet tall. He was a big, strong man, with dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark brown hair. He was the Minister at St. Luke’s with the Church of England in 1913.
Reverend Charles Valentine Lester
Reverend Charles Valentine Lester first arrived in England, attached to 9th Canadian Reserve Infantry Brigade, 8 November 1915. Then, Chaplain with the 12th Reserve Infantry Brigade, 23 November 1915. But, after only 153 days of service, Reverend Lester returns home to Canada.
He came back to Canada aboard SS METAGAMA on 16 June 1916. S.o.S. on arrival home, 13 July 1916, in Ottawa. Officially, Lester is still residing in Brantford, Ontario. Lester had an unremarkable record of 153 days in the military at a rate of $3.75 per day. Captain Lester was paid $573.75 for his service.
Then, the next month after his arrival back in Canada, The Reverend Lester comments on military life in England, 15 July 1916. “Wherever you go in England you will find a keen appreciation of what Canadians are doing in this war. Anything they can do over there to show their appreciation they are only too glad to do.”
Reverend Charles Valentine Lester then took up his duties in St.Luke’s Church. It is not clear if Lester went on to become a celebrity in his later life like Private Roy Edward Henley. What became of him is unknown. Why did The Reverend Charles Valentine Lester come back home after 153 days of service in England? Like Roy Edward Henley, Charles had been brought before a General Courts Martial in England.
General Courts Martial
False Docket 349-10-10, No. 548 Central Registry
Reverend Charles Valentine Lester pleads not guilty to four charges. Behaving in a scandalous manner unbecoming the character of an Officer and a Gentleman.
First Charge
In that he, at West Sandling Camp on or about the morning of March 18th, 1916 said to No. 126911, Private Edward Cogger, 36th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, – “You fuck me and I’ll fuck you” – or worse to that effect.
Second Charge
In that he, at West Sandling Camp on or about the morning of March 27th, 1916, while in bed put his arm around said to No.53222, Private Charles John Echlin, 36th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, and tried to put the head of the said Private Charles John Echlin on his pillow.
Third Charge
In that he, at West Sandling Camp on or about the 13th March 1916, threw No.406069, Private Wallace Drury, 36th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, down on his bed and tried to get on top of him.
Fourth Charge
In that he, at West Sandling Camp on or about the morning of 1st April 1916, while lying on his bed, pulled No.406963, Private Harold Boot, 36th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, down on his bed.
Prosecution
First Witness
First witness for the Prosecution. Testimony of Private Edward Cogger 126911, 36th Reserve Battalion. “I was servant to Captain Lester, the accused, about a week after I went to the accused as his servant he got me upon his knee, and started feeling my legs, and then started feeling my penis. One Saturday afternoon, he said to me, ‘You fuck me, and I’ll fuck you.’ The day when he said this was 20 March 1916.”
This is only from the first paragraph of Private Cogger’s testimony. Cogger went on to describe a prolonged period of abuse while he was Lester’s Batman. Much of the cross-examination concerned alcohol. Cogger’s over-indulgence, and Lester’s propensity to comfort soldiers with whiskey.
Second Witness
Private Charles John C. Echlin 53222, 36th Reserve Battalion was the second witness for the prosecution. He described an instance of where Lester had tried to ply him with drink. He always refused, being a teetotaler, he said. As the first batman of the morning, he would usually rekindle the fire. One morning Lester asked him to sit down on the bed. Lester put his arm around his waist, and tried to lay him down.
Third Witness
Then, Private Wallace Drury 406069, also of the 36th Res. Bn., was called as the 3rd witness. He was Lester’s previous Batman. He describes many instances of Lester’s too-physical manner. Wrestling-type behavior in the confines of his quarters…forcing him down upon his cot. Drury was cross-examined by the court. Though extremely uncomfortable in his tenure as his Batman, and glad it was over, he had not informed Private Cogger, Lester’s next Batman, of what had transpired.
Fourth Witness
Then, Private Harold Boot 406963, was the fourth witness called by the prosecution. Boot describes similar misbehavior on the part of Lester. Once he was pulled down onto his knee, but when a Captain Ross of the YMCA had entered the room, Lester let him up. Then, Cogger was recalled, and so was Echlin. They were asked if they could corroborate any of what Cogger had said, even though they were not present when Cogger spoke.
Defense
Lester wished to give evidence, and call witnesses on his behalf. To the question, “Is he a witness to character only?” Lester responded, “No.” Then, Lester said he wished to proceed at once to call his witnesses. But first, the Court adjourned for lunch, and then returned at 14h15.
Lester testifies
Beginning with his personal history, Lester mentions he was heralded by the Boy Scouts with a badge. Then, he begins his story about Private Cogger by mentioning he immediately offered him a small amount of whiskey when he came to his room. He had a half-bottle, and instructed him to drink some more – neat.
The next day, Captain Greenwood had told Lester he had made his Batman drunk. “I met Capt. Greenwood the next day and he said that my batman had been made drunk by me the night before,” said Lester.
No bulk
Lester testified Cogger had become his Batman on 18 March 1916, and there was no bulk in the statement made by Private Cogger. Lester refuted every one of Cogger’s complaints. Then, he said he could not recall pulling Boot down upon his knee. Finally, Lester said he had made no indecent suggestions to Echlin, Drury, nor Boot.
He closed by stating he emphatically denied behaving in such a scandalous manner.
Cross-examination of Reverend Charles Valentine Lester
In this Kangaroo court, the Prosecution declined to cross-examine Lester.
Witnesses for the Defense
Captain W.A. Ross of the 36th Battalion testified on behalf of Lester, noting he had never seen any such conduct when encountering Lester alone with a soldier. Lt. E.H. Lawrence, 1st Canadian Battalion, attached to 36th Battalion testified on Lester’s behalf. His testimony noting he had sent Private Cogger to the Chaplain because he was already drunk. A previous Batman of Lester’s was then called. And another. Two Privates then testified, followed by Colonel E.C. Ashton, Commanding 3rd Canadian Training Brigade.
Lester’s witnesses all testified to his character. Only one testified regarding the facts. The court then paused to summarize the case.
Verdict
On 5 May 1916, Charles Valentine Lester was found not guilty, and given an honorable acquittal. Firstly, the court believed nothing regarding Cogger’s claims of abuse, and felt it was all about trying to make excuses for him being drunk. Referring to Cogger, the Court wrote, “…wicked suggestions made by a man of depraved physical development. A man of a degenerate type, with only one redeeming virtue viz that of having had the desire to serve his Country…a liar, a skunk, and a most despicable creature.”
Secondly, the testimony of other witnesses was not mentioned. However, a paragraph about the Court’s dismay with Lester’s behavior, was redacted.
In short, the court believed the real victim was Lester, and that Private Cogger was the perpetrator of a crime. With the power to do so, the court wished that Cogger be held accountable.
Epilogue
It was suggested by the Officer’s of the Court that Captain Charles Valentine Lester should resign. Without further adieu, he accepted the proposition, and returned to Canada.
Prior to the incident, the Medical Board at Shorncliffe examine Private Edward Cogger, on 7 March 1916. They find him to be under-size, and underage. Edward was 16 years-old, and weighed all of 85 pounds. Then, he is admonished for drunkenness, on 17 April 1916, at West Sandling.
Sentenced by District Court Martial to undergo 1 years Detention for making a false accusation against an Officer, and giving false evidence, in arrest of 9 May 1916. Finally, on 18 December 1916, Edward is released from Detention for the purpose of going overseas.
The Death of Edward Cogger
Private Edward Cogger landed in France, with 2nd C.M.R., 9 April 1918. Five months later, Edward is killed in action, in the Battle of Canal du Nord, on 29 September 1918.
Privates Echlin, and Drury were wounded in the Great War, but survive. Private Boot had been injured during training, and was deemed unfit for overseas service. They were all half a foot shorter than Reverend Lester.
Private Edward Cogger lies buried at Drummond Cemetery, Raillencourt, Nord. Before he received a CWGC headstone, Edward’s sister, Ada Cogger, of Palmer’s Green, London, wrote his inscription. “In Fond And Loving Memory. Gone But Not Forgotten. Ciss”
The Death of Thomas Henry Kinnie
Private Edward Cogger lies buried with Corporal Thomas Henry Kinnie 423301. Thomas also spent time in the 36th Reserve Battalion with Edward in West Sandling. However, Thomas made it over to France in February 1916, only two weeks after arriving in England. Nevertheless, Thomas was also half a foot shorter than Reverend Charles Valentine Lester. He and Edward may have shared some words when they were reunited on the battlefield. They share the last words of their lives.
Questions
Firstly, should this post have been about Private Cogger in the Great War? Secondly, do you think the two verdicts were justified? Thirdly, what do you think of the military’s Court Martial system? Finally, how many more boys did Reverend Charles Valentine Lester comfort in his lifetime?
Furthermore, who do you believe was the real Hero in this story? Were there any, or more than one?
Certainly, it took a lot of courage for a sixteen-year-old boy to testify to the charges against Reverend Lester. In a Court Martial, no less. Recall, not one of the Prosecuting Officers said anything in his defense. Much to the contrary, the Court wrote, “..a liar, a skunk, and a most despicable creature.”
Who was a most despicable creature?
In conclusion, were you were directly affected by Sexual Misconduct in the CAF/DND workplace? A proposed settlement may affect your rights.
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For members of CAF/DND, please learn more about the lawsuit and proposed settlement, including your legal rights and options. Always, thank you for your Service and Sacrifice.
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[…] that Colonel Lester of the 102nd Battalion is not related to Anglican minister, Honorary Captain Charles Valentine Lester, who appeared before a General Court Martial in […]