On 21 April 1945 Guardsman Charlton was a co-driver of one tank of a troop that was supporting an infantry platoon.

Three of the four Irish Guards tanks were badly hit, while Charlton's had already been disabled by a complete electrical failure before the attack began.

Charlton, on his own initiative, took the machine gun and advanced in full view of the attacking Germans, firing from the hip and inflicting heavy casualties.

The lead German company was halted, which gave the rest of the Guards a respite in which to reorganise and retire.

Charlton placed the machine gun on a fence, where he launched a further attack, before his left arm was hit again, becoming shattered and useless.