A one-time Manchester & District, Lancashire and Northern Counties 100-yard swimming champion, Charlie Brand was, however, better known as a water polo player. Originally a member of the Old Trafford Club, he later became a prominent member of the South Manchester water polo team. He made his England international début against Denmark in 1939, but had to put his career on hold because of World War II. Brand joined the Eighth Army in 1940, and served with the Central Mediterranean Forces with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC). He resumed his swimming and polo careers after the War, and was selected for two Olympic Great Britain water polo teams, in 1948 and 1952.