Charles was the eldest son of Henry Thurston, a brickmaker, and Esther (nee Harris).

A son, Charles was born at West Barnwell, Cambridge in 1870, and his sister, Sarah, was born in 1872. Sadly Esther died in 1875 aged 30.

A year later Henry remarried, to Sophia Harris who was born at Gamlingay. When the 1881 census was recorded he was a 'travelling hawker' living at Hertford, with his wife Sophia and Charles now aged 11, Sarah aged 9, and Sophia had also had two children, Emily aged 2, and Annie aged 11 months. They were living in a caravan, between two other travelling hawkers; Moses Harris and his family, and William Scott and family. They had pitched in Cold Bath Field.

Perhaps Henry was working for John Barker in his fairground, as they later founded an amusement firm, Barker and Thurston.

In 1893 Charles married Charlotte Barker in Suffolk, the daughter of Mr. John Barker, of Norwich. Charles, with his 'Royal Show', a two-waggon fronted bioscope, also found success. The show was adapted and refitted between 1902 to 1907 to keep ahead of the latest ideas.

Charles and Charlotte brought a round-a-bout style fairground ride to the Feast celebrations in Rushden in 1908. He also brought his "Golden Peacocks" ride here in 1929.

A long-case 89-key Marenghi organ was also added, and with this large instrument he extended his shows. Around 1911 this organ was built into a new show.

Their younger son, Charles junior, became president of the Showmen's Guild.

Later the Feast was moved to Spencer Park and Charles presented the Bowls Club that played there with a cup to be presented annually to winners of a competition.

In 1997 a Blue Plaque was erected to his memory, and has recently been moved to the foyer area inside Asda's store.