Sir Charles Campbell Woolley was born on 15 Jan 1893 in Barry, Wales, and educated at University College, Cardiff. He served with the South Wales Borderers (1914-1920) and saw active service in France, Salonika, Constantinople (Istanbul), and the Caucasus. He attained the rank of Captain, held various Staff appointments, and was awarded the Military Cross.

In 1921, Woolley entered the Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Civil Service, in which he served for 14 years. During his time in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), he was appointed Secretary to the Governor (Jul 1931) and awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) after the visit by the Duke of Gloucester (1934). He left Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1935, when he was appointed Colonial Secretary in Jamaica; in 1937, he was awarded the CMG (Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George) in recognition of his skilful handling of the island's labour troubles. In 1938, on the death of the Governor of Jamaica, Sir James Denham, Woolley became acting Governor. Later that year, he was transferred to Nigeria, where he held the post of Chief Secretary (1938-1941) and also administered the government at various times. In 1941, he was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Cyprus (1941-1946), and in 1947 he became Governor and Commander­in­Chief of British Guiana (Guyana), a post he held until his retirement from the Civil Service in 1953.

Woolley was President of the International Society for the Protection of Animals (1969-1971) and President of the Southern Counties Orchestral Society. He was awarded the GBE (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire) 1953 (OBE 1934), KCMG (Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George) 1943 (CMG 1937), MC, LLD, and KJStJ.

Sir Woolley died on 20 Aug 1981. Compiled with reference to Who Was Who.