OMDURMAN CHARGER GROUP OF 3 MEDALS TO PTE. C. RODIS, "A" SQUADRON, 21ST LANCERS

Charles Rodis charged with A Squadron in the historic cavalry action at Omdurman, the squadron commanded by Major Finn with Lieutenant Winston Churchill as one of its Troop Commanders.

Rodis is an "A" Squadron, 21st Lancers Omdurman Charger, confirmed on the Cairo Roll, Kereri Roll, Hicks Scroll, Queen's Sudan Medal Roll and Khedive's Sudan Medal Roll, further by Roy Dutton's: 'Forgotten Heroes - The Charge of the 21st Lancers at Omdurman', where Rodis' entry has two photographs.

Charles William Rodis (sometimes 'Roddis') was born in Kilsby, Rugby, Warwickshire in Oct 1876, the son of Joseph and Catherine Roddis and attested with the 21st Lancers at Leicester on 24 Nov 1896, aged 20 years and 3 months.

After the charge at Omdurman, Roddis was awarded a Third Class Certificate of Education on 12 June 1899, according to the 1 Jan-30 June Vedette No.110.

After the Sudan Campaign, Roddis joined the 9th Lancers and was photographed with the Regimental Staff at Potchefstroom on 1 Dec 1909.

Marrying Margaret Sophia Cashford at Canterbury on 3 Aug 1911, they had two children, Patricia Margaret and Eric Charles Roddis, born on 29 May 1912 and 4 Sep 1916, respectively.

Roddis was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal on 1 Jan 1915 and his regiment listed as Royal Tank Corps with a regimental number of 311887 (formerly '916' 9th Lancers), and his rank as 'Sgt.-Tailor' on his discharge on 1 May 1922 due to '2nd Period, para 392 xxi', with no WWI medal entitlement.

Retiring from service to his address at 10 Craven Road, Rugby, Northamptonshire, Roddis died in Coventry, Warwickshire in Apr 1942.