Charles Ekins was born in Chiddingfold, Surrey on 7 Oct 1809. He was the younger son of Rev Charles Ekins and Mary Ford. He was posted to the 7th BLC as a cornet on 24 May 1826 and joined the regiment in November. He had three terms as officiating Adjutant from Sep 1829 to Aug 1837 during which time he was promoted to lieutenant, on 16 June 1831, and as permanent Adjutant from 24 Mar 1838 to April 1842. He was promoted to captain on 26 July 1841 and was with the regiment at Ferozepore from Oct 1842 to Jan 1843 in the Army of Reserve.
He was appointed Assistant Adjutant General of cavalry and 2nd AAG of the army in 1843. He served in the Gwalior campaign, present at Maharajpur, given a brevet of Major on 30 April 1844. He went on leave to the Cape in 1845 and on 31 Dec 1845 was appointed 1st AAG of the army. In March the next year he was DAG. He served in the Second Sikh War at Ramnuggur, Passage of the Chenab and at Chillianwallah where he was killed in action on 13 Jan 1849. He was married to Julia Maxwell at Kaitha on 27 March 1830.
There is a memorial to him in Salisbury Cathedral, and a tablet in St Luke’s Church, Jullundur has this tribute to him:
‘Sacred to the memory of Major Charles Ekins of the 7th Bengal Light Cavalry and Deputy Adjt General of the army, who fell in action at Chillianwallah, on the 13th Jan 1849, aged 39 yrs. cut off by a glorious death in the fullness of his career, whilst in the zealous performance of his duty, he has yet left a bright example in his life, in the high estimation in which he was held by the army to which he belonged, as a gallant soldier, a kind warm hearted friend, and an honourable upright and good man.’
