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MarieCelest

I think this may be the death of Kitty.

Deaths Mar 1918 Palmer Kitty 30 W.Bromwich 6b 911

Marriage is here.

Marriages Dec 1917 Blay Kitty E Palmer Hambledon 2a 419

This would explain why Charles’ assigned pay went back to his mother.
I think a possibility of Why Charles was granted compassionate leave could perhaps have been as his father had pneumonia, the mother was in dire circumstances. On the 1901 British Census, Ernest, Elizabeth and Charles were in Aldershot. Ernest was a sewing machine salesman and Ernest’s brother who was living with them, was a supplier to the British army. In April that year Ernest joined the British army and served in South Africa. The following year they moved to Canada and set up as farmers in Huntsville or Parry Sound. When war came Charles and then Ernest joined the army. Presumably Elizabeth had to run the farm alone. This must have been hard for her as the pay that Charles sent her was assigned to his new wife for a few months, and the illness of Ernest would not have helped.
Possible confirmation of this view came from Australia, Martha, having served for 37 years as a Baptist missionary in India, retired in 1919 and said she had no family in Australia and a sister who was in dire straits. (Her only sister died some years before, so it could only refer to Elizabeth) and nephews who were only distant memories, she decided to retire in the country she loved, India.

Does that make sense?

David - Re:
"I would like to get the service records for Ernest, but I have forgotten how to order them."
See my earlier post.

mgnv

Charles married Kitty Eileen Blay on 14th Nov 1917 at Mitford Surrey. His declared rank was Signaller B Co. 164 bn, CEF age 27,

Kitty was 26 spinster living at Chertsey Surrey, father's name was Frank Blay

Chas was in 122 bn 8/11/15
164 bn 7/7/15
102 bn (France) 8/3/18

The 102nd infantry bn was a front-line unit.
It was one of 4 bn's in the 11th brigade, which was one of 3 bde's in the 4th Canadian division of the CEF.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/02015202_e.html
gives access to this unit's war diaries, so you can see the day to day activities of this unit.

Also of interest:
Author: Nicholson, G.W.L
Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War: Candian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/docs/CEF_e.pdf