Spitfire R6814 at Burneston, south of Bedale.

On the 24th of October 1940 the pilot of this aircraft safely baled out at 17.50hrs after the aircraft engine caught fire in the air. The location given in a police report is vertually in the village but this may be an error for the actual location of the village rather than the site of where the aircraft struck the ground.

Pilot - F/O Edward F J (Jack) Charles (36198)

Edward Charles joined the RCAF in Canada in early 1938 and trained as a pilot but in May 1939 he transferred to the RAF. After training he served with 81 Sqdn and 2 Sqdn before going through 7 OTU and arriving at 54 Sqdn on 2nd September 1940. he spent May 1941 away from 54 Sqdn but returned on 6th June 1941 until 18th October 1941. Rising in rank he later acted as instructor with 9 SFTS and after a period at 52 OTU was posted to 64 Sqdn in January 1943. He transferred back to the RCAF and returned to Canada as W/C in 1944 and served post war in the RCAF with 426 Sqdn before retiring. Died in Vancouver on 5th November 1986. The internet yields further details on his service career.

He was awarded the DFC with 54 Sqdn, Gazetted on 15th July 1941. The Citation reads..

"This officer has displayed exceptional zeal and immense enthusiasm during the many offensive sweeps carried out by his unit. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft."

He was awarded the Bar to the DFC for service with 611 Sqdn, which appeared in the London Gazette on 16th July 1943, and four days later the US Silver Star. The Citation for his Bar to the DFC reads..

"This officer is a first class fighter, whose fine leadership, cool judgment and efficiency have set an admirable example. He has destroyed 13 enemy aircraft and damaged several more."

On 29th October 1943 the London Gazette published the Citation for Acting W/C Charles' DSO award, this reads..

"Wing Commander Charles is an inspiring leader, whose great skill and tenacity have contributed materially to the successes obtained by the formations with which he has flown. In September, 1943, he led a formation of fighters which acted as escort to a bomber force detailed to attack an airfield in Northern France. During the operation, operation, 12 enemy fighters were engaged and, in the ensuing combats, 4 of the hostile aircraft were shot down, i of them by Wing Commander Charles. This officer, who has destroyed at least 15 enemy aircraft, has displayed great courage and unflagging devotion to duty."