Charles was born on October 5th 1855 in Aberdeen, the second surviving son of Alexander and Jessie Watkins. He emigrated to Christchurch, New Zealand in about 1880 with his mother, brother Arthur and sisters Jessie and Christina.
Charles married Mary Aitken at Oamaru in 1888 and they had four children:
In 1893 Charles was living at 24 Bowen Street, Sydenham. He died at 83 Colombo Road, Christchurch, on 10th September 1895 and he was buried in Addington Cemetery. His death certificate stated that he had lived in New Zealand for 14 years, and his occupation was given as engine driver.
In 1896 Mary was living at 7 Hutcheson Street, as was Charles' sister, Christina, a tailoress. Mary died on June 8th 1920 in her 54th year and was buried in Addington Cemetery. She was then living at 30 Hutcheson Street, Sydenham. Her second daughter, Jessie Gray Watkins, married William Craig in 1919 at St David's Church, Sydenham, Christchurch and the youngest daughter Christina was a witness.
Alexander Edward Aitken Watkins married Edith Marion Stead on 31st January 1912 at the Register Office in Darlington, County Durham. There was no indication of how long he had been in the UK, but he and Edith left Plymouth on 15th January 1920, heading for Auckland New Zealand. Their three children were: Keith Aitken Watkins aged 7, Audrey Mary Watkins aged 6 and John Alan Watkins aged 4, all born in England.