Maj. Gen. Sir Charles Walters D'Oyly was the nephew of Sir Charles D'Oyly (1781-1845). He entered the Indian army in 1842 and fought in many battles including the Battle of Punniar in the Gwallior campaign and the battles of Gungari and Pattioli during the Indian Mutiny. He took part in the famous charge of the Carbineers during the battle of Gungari in which Major Wardlaw and all the other senior officers were killed and was later also aide-de-camp to the Marquis of Dalhousie, Governor General in India from 1852 to 1856. D'Oyly rose quickly through the ranks of the army, attaining the posts of Lt. Colonel in 1868, Colonel in 1873 and retired as Major General in 1875.
He was a keen amateur artist of considerable talent and won several medals and prizes at the Simla and Calcutta exhibitions. This talent was noted by Sir John Gilbert, President of the Royal Academy when he remarked 'Sir Charles is much more than an amateur!'
After his retirment D'Oyly purchased a small estate near Blandford, Dorset and built a house there called 'Newlands'. He remained actively involved in local affairs including the commission of the Peace for Dosetshire, and also becoming Chairman of the Charlton Marshall Parish Council.
For further information regarding the D'Oyly family see W. D'Oyly Bayley, An Account of the House of D'Oyly, Bowyer Nichols and Son, 1845. An appendix of 1905 was compiled but never published.
According to the Appendix to the House of D'Oyly Sir Charles's conduct like that of his predecessors was noted for its 'uprightness, integrity and conscientious performance of duty'.
The watercolours included in this section came down by descent in the D'Oyly family to the artist's grand-daughter, they were previously bound in six albums and folios