WWII gunner honoured for valour in sky

WWII gunner honoured for valour in sky

12 November 2014

A SECOND World War veteran who flew over 40 missions with the RAF has been presented with a prestigious award in recognition of the key role he played in the skies over Germany.

Killyleagh man Martin Charters (93) joined the RAF 70 years ago and was last week presented with a Bomber Command Clasp to mark the heroic role he played as a rear gunner during dangerous sorties behind enemy lines.

Around 55,000 members of Bomber Command died during bombing missions over Germany, but the Killyleagh man survived and said he was “privileged and honoured” his efforts and those of his colleagues during the war are now being recognised.

The Bomber Command Clasp was presented to Mr. Charters by RAF Air Vice Marshall David Niven at Down Council’s Downshire Civic Centre headquarters in Downpatrick. The Killyleagh man was joined at the ceremony by his great, great nephew Sam Donnan, a pupil at St. Patrick’s Grammar School.

Also joining Mr. Charters were other Killyleagh World War Two veterans Lt. Col. Denys-Rowan Hamilton and Andy Andrews and fellow Bomber Command colleagues, Alfie Martin from Dunmurry and Bangor’s Rex Armstrong.

Mr. Charters signed up for the RAF in 1941 and during his remarkable service throughout the war he worked as a mechanic on Spitfires and later as rear gunner in Halifax and Lancaster bombers.

The Bomber Command Clasp was approved by the Queen for those who qualified with service to Bomber Command between 1939 and 1945 and who already hold the 39-45 Star.

“After all these years I am delighted the men of Bomber Command have been recognised at last and I will wear this clasp with pride,” said, Martin.

“It was hard work and heartbreaking at times. I saw men standing crying before we were due to head off on missions because they did not want to go. Some of the men were terrified, but we had a job to do.”

Mr. Charters said he was “excited” to receive the award and said last week’s ceremony was rather poignant, as he thought of the many friends and colleagues he lost during the war.

He also admitted his job as a rear gunner was “very difficult at times” and explained during bombing missions over Germany crews had to maintain radio silence.

“It is a great honour to receive this award after all these years and the hard work many people put in for it to be awarded to members of Bomber Command,” he said. “While this is a happy occasion, my thoughts do turn to the thousands of brave men who lost their lives during the war, some while on active bombing missions and some even during training in England.”

Mr. Charters said there are very few members of Bomber Command alive today, explaining it was an “honour and a privilege” to receive the special clasp.

“I accept this award on behalf of many good friends and colleagues who never came home. The award is as much for them as it is for me. While it’s a happy day there is a tinge of sadness. I really enjoyed my time with the RAF; they were really great days, irrespective of what happened. I worked with some great lads and met some wonderful people,” he said.

“One night on our way back from a bombing mission one of our engines was on fire and another packed in leaving us with two. We managed to land in Kent and had to leave the aircraft.

“We were coming up through London the next day wearing our flying suits and had our parachutes with us and people were coming up and grabbing us, giving us money and cigarettes and thanking us for the job we were doing.

“I am delighted to receive this Bomber Command Clasp and will be very, very proud to wear it, never forgetting the great lads I served with. This award is also something to remember them by.”

Air Vice Marshall Niven said Bomber Command was responsible for taking the offensive to Germany during the Second World War, with 55,000 of its 120,000-strong air crew paying the ultimate sacrifice.

He said the chances of Bomber Command crews staying alive during the war was less than 50 per cent, explaining that Mr. Charters role as a tail gunner saw him positioned in a very small turret, in cold conditions, isolated from the rest of his crew.

“Being a tail gunner was a very lonely existence and a position that could be attacked at any time. Martin flew many sorties during the war and many of his colleagues did not return. I am delighted to be able to honour him with the presentation of this Bomber Command Clasp. It is very well deserved,” he added.