Edmondson, Charles

OOC Info
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Username/Nickname: Keiju
How did you find out about StC? Singing telegram
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Character Info
Canon/Original: Original
First Name(s): Charles
Surname: Edmondson
Nicknames: Chalk-stick Charlie (the men's nickname for him, which he is not of course aware of)
Age: Thirty-seven
Sex: Male
Place of Birth: Shawley House, near Daventry, Northamptonshire
Occupation: Major; Adjutant, 1st Battalion, 2nd Foot Guards
Family: Sir Edward Edmondson, Bart., Lady Charlotte Edmondson; Arthur ad Walter, brothers
Description: In his prime, Edmondson cut a fine figure. His height and build helped him stand out and he prided himself on his formidable appearance. Age has softened him somewhat and in recent years he has been increasingly bothered by rheumatism in his left shoulder. What was once muscle has largely gone, though he has escaped the indignity of noticeable fat. He does make an effort to prevent flab, which he regards as unsightly, but his frame is such that he cannot avoid having a paunch.

There isn't much outwardly welcoming about Edmondson. His dark hair is worn fashionably short and is streaked with grey, topping a round, stern face. He keeps himself clean and tidy at all times, no matter the weather or situation. In fact, his ability to make a perfect turnout is regarded by many as inhuman. Edmondson's uniforms are of the finest cut and tailoring, and even on campaign, he manages to maintain a substantial wardrobe.

The demands of his rank and position have helped erase, or at least bury, his former feelings of goodwill toward the men. He is the battalion's taskmaster and he plays the part to the hilt. The regiment and its needs come first in his view. First, last, and always. In this respect, he has not changed since he was a lowly ensign, though it can be argued that he has grown stricter in his observation of this mantra over time. It can also be argued that he is at least fair in his managing of any affairs regarding the regiment and its reputation - that is, he does not spare officers or men in censure.

Edmondson is of the old school. He joined the regiment as an ensign and spent the first several years of his service in a battalion company, before earning a place in the grenadier company. These early years provided the foundation for his personality and his approach to his duties. Which is to say, he is very aware of the divide between himself as an officer and the men he commands and he adheres quite rigidly to the idea that officers and men must never be familiar with each other.

Most of all, however, he is a lifelong believer in tradition. He was ever a subscriber to the proven method of employing lines of infantry in combat and, as a former grenadier, feels that the shift away from such heavy infantry is an abomination. At best, he feels that creating entire regiments of light infantry, such as the Forty-Third, is nothing but folly that is doomed to failure. At worst, he views such things as affronts which are beneath any notice. In this and other respects, there is little denying that Edmondson is outdated, but he is stalwart in his opinions and will never accept that he might be wrong - or, more accurately, that he feels vaguely threatened by change such as this.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths
- Despite his age, Edmondson is still fairly fit and active.
- He's an efficient administrator, as much by necessity as natural ability.
- His loyalties lie unshakeably to his regiment.

Weaknesses
- He is often viewed as harsh and unfeeling, by men and officers alike.
- He disdains anything that does not follow the proven methods of war.
- More often than not, his pride blinds him to other, possibly easier, ways to get the same job done.
Background: The army was the only real future available for young Charles Edmondson. He was born the third son of a country baronet, and with no true hope of inheriting his father's land and title, decided on a life of service. He was only ffiteen when his Colours were purchased and he was sent off to the Second Foot Guards. The following years were hard but Edmondson perserved, as much due to his own stubborn constitution as the knowledge that failure meant instant disgrace. There was little real chance of him failing as badly as that, however, for he was a sharp and eager student in his 'trade'.

In time, his competence and his natural size caused him to be drafted into the grenadier company. He had recently purchased a lieutenantcy and this, with the move to the elite company in the regiment, opened many doors to him. The trials of foreign service helped solidify his character and the young lieutenant earned a reputation as a hard, demanding officer. It was during this period that he earned the unflattering nickname of 'Chalk-stick Charlie', for his habit of marking out deficiencies in uniforms and kit with a stick of white chalk, so it could not be missed or ignored.

Edmondson was twenty-five when he bought his captaincy and within six months had command of the grenadier company. He would hold this post until he was thirty, when he was appointed aide-de-camp to the colonel. This lasted two years, when he was appointed adjutant for the First Battalion.
Anything Else: Nope.
Writing Sample/Past Roleplay: Pass.

Accepted!