204685 Lt.Cmdr. Charles Herbert Wines Fleet Air Arm from:Benfleet, Essex My Father Charlie Wines was a swordfish pilot in the Second World War. He was shot down on 12th April 1941 his plane crashed on the beach at Hammamet Tunisia, he was then interned from April 1941 until 15th November 1942. I have a copy of his log book and even notes he secretly made whilst in prison.
I think the other person shot down with him was L/A Edwards - I know he was friendly with someone in the RAF Dick Marshall-Hardy who he later met and had a great friendship for many years.
He didn't talk about this time much as I think it was painful for him. He was a petty officer when he was shot down, actually he was the first uncommissioned pilot in the fleet aim arm although he never got any recognition for this - I don't think they expected him to survive.
Survive he did and became a Lieutenant Commander based for many years at HMS Daedalus Lee-on-Solent.He flew many planes up until he was grounded at the age of 45. He became a drafting officer at HMS Centurion until he retired at 65. At his retirement he was flown in a swordfish from the Yeovilton museum, he was really airsick as he always was if he wasn't actually flying the plane himself. Sadly he died in 1991 six weeks after my mother died. My parents were devoted to one another and their love survived even though they were apart for many years at a time.
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