Charles Coningham was born at Bangalore, India in 1852, son of ??? Coningham and Anna Maria Coningham.

He was educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Charles Coningham was commissioned in to the 103rd Regiment (Royal Bombay Fusiliers) on the 23rd March 1872 with the rank of Sub. Lieutenant but was raised to the full rank of Lieutenant.

On the 28th June 1881 he was appointed Instructor of Musketry.

As part of the Childers Reforms in 1881, the regiment was amalgamated with the 102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers) to form The Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

He was promoted to rank of Captain on the 1st February 1882.

He took part in the operations of Soudan Frontier Field Force in 1885-86 (Medal and Khedive's Star).

Was appointed the Adjutant of the 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

On the 9th December 1891 he was promoted to Major and transferred to the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.

Promoted to Lieut.-Colonel on the 11th December 1899 when he took command of the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. On the 17th December 1899 the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment embarked at Southampton on the troop ship 'Tintagel Castle' and headed for the war in South Africa as reinforcements for the British Army under Field Marshal Lord Roberts. On the 8th January 1900 the 2nd Battalion disembarked at Cape Town. On the 12th February 1900, the right flank of the British at Slingersfontein came under a strong attacked by the Boers commanded by General De la Rey's.  The key of the British position at this point was a kopje held by three companies of the 2nd Worcester Regiment. During the Fighting Lieut.-Colonel Charles Coningham was mortally wound and died shorty afterwards.

Lieut.-Col. C. Coningham