Charles Walter Rowsell was born in Sebastopol, Victoria, was single and a Farmer when he enlisted in the 4th Light Horse Regiment, 8th Reinforcement on 15 January 1915 at the age of 23. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A55 Kyarra on 20 August 1915. He embarked overseas from Alexandria and arrived in Marseilles on 17 June 1916. The following month he was attached with the 2nd ANZAC Mounted Regiment. Aside from some visits to hospital for illness, according to his records he completed his tour of duty without major incident, illness or injury, returning home to Australia aboard the Karmala on 17 August 1919. He would enlist again for WWII on 23 September 1940.

His brother, Pte Thomas Leslie Rowsell of the 58th Bn also served (Tree No. 1965)
Tree No. 587