Lieutenant Colonel Charles Hector Lithgow, CD was born on 18 July 1920 in Toronto, Ontario, the son of James Lithgow and Mizpah Madeline Sussex. His father served as a gunner in the First World War.

He attended Upper Canada College from 1932 to 1934, and was commissioned from the Royal Military College in June 1940,

Lithgow proceeded overseas in October, 194. He joined the Royal Canadian Regiment in April 1942 and saw continuous service with the battalion until December 1943, when he was seriously wounded in the attack on Dundee Cross-roads. He was a Signal Officer, later commanded “B” and “D” Coy’s until wounded, and then returned to the U.K. as an instructor.

In the Spring of 1944, he married Elizabeth Ann Atkinson in Carlisle, England.

December 1950 he became Second in Command of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.

He commanded the 1st Battalion (Regular Force) from October 3, 1957, to August 1961 following Lieutenant Colonel C. P. McPherson CD and handed over to fellow Upper Canada College old boy Lieutenant Colonel H.C.F. Elliot CD.

In the 1963 Regular Army List, he was a Colonel on the General Staff List.

Colonel Lithgow died in Toronto, Ontario on 5 November 1980 and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Section 36, Lot 3104.