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Air Vice-Marshal C V Winn (40586)


Charles Vivian              b: 20 Apr 1918                     r: 1 Jan 1974                d: 20 Sep 1988

CBE - 1 Jan 1963 (OBE – 1 Jan 1951), DSO – 3 Jul 1945, DFC – 29 Sep 1942, QCBC – 28 Apr 1953, MBIM.

Act Plt Off (P): 19 Feb 1938, Plt Off (P): 29 Nov 1938, Plt Off: 29 Feb 1939, Fg Off: 29 Aug 1940, Act Flt Lt: 28 Oct - 13 Nov 1940, Flt Lt (WS): 29 Aug 1941, Act Sqn Ldr: xx xxx 1942, (T) Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1943, Act Wg Cdr: 14 Dec 1943?, Sqn Ldr (WS): 14 Jun 1944, Sqn Ldr: 1 Sep 1945, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1952, Act Gp Capt: xx xxx 1957?, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1959, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1965, AVM: 1 Jan 1972.

19 Feb 1938:            Granted a Short Service Commission

19 Feb 1938:            Initial Officer Training, RAF Depot.

 5 Mar 1938:            U/T Pilot, No 7 FTS.

17 Sep 1938:            Pilot, No 29 Sqn.

 9 Oct 1938 - 10 Jan 1939:            Attended Navigation Course, No 4 E & RFTS, Brough

28 Oct 1940:            'A' Flight Commander, No 29 Sqn

13 Nov 1940:           Pilot, No 29 Sqn.

21 Jun 1941:            Pilot, No ? Flight (Turbinlite Havoc - Hunsdon)

xx May 1942:           Officer Commanding, No 538 Sqn. (Turbinlite Havoc/Hurricane)

xx xxx xxxx:              Transferred to RAFO and re-employed

13 Dec 1943:           Wing - Commander - ?, HQ No 100 Group.

xx Jun 1944:             Officer Commanding, No 141 Sqn. (Mosquito II/VI/NF30)

1945 - 47                 ?

 1 Jul 1946 [1 Sep 1945]:            Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Squadron Leader.  (retaining rank current at the time)

20 Jun 1947:            Staff Officer, HQ Transport Command

xx xxx 1949:            Staff Officer (VIP/Special Flights), HQ Transport Command

xx xxx 1951:            Officer Commanding, RAF Felixstowe.

23 Jun 1953:            Staff Officer, Directorate of Personnel (2).

xx xxx 1955:            Officer Commanding, Western Zoyland.

xx xxx 1957:            Officer Commanding, RAF Laarbruch.

xx Jul 1959:             Group Captain - Operations, HQ Transport Command.

 1 Jan 1960:             SASO, HQ No 38 Group.

xx Jan 1961:           Officer Commanding, 'Operation Private Eye' (Cameroons

xx Nov 1962:           Chief, Plans and Operations, HQ Far East Air Force/Command?

20 Dec 1964:           Directing Staff, RAF Staff College.

4 Jun 1965:              Director of Operations - Air Transport and Overseas Theatres.

 6 Jun 1968:             Air Commander - Malta.

20 May 1971:          Chief, Current Plans Branch, Plans and Policy Division, SHAPE.

24 Jun 1972:            Commander, Northern Maritime Air Region/AOC, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

On the night of 30 April/1 May 1942 he carried out the first successful Turbinlite sortie when he illuminated a He 111, which was shot down by Flt Lt Derek Yapp in a 253 Sqn Hurricane.  He was awarded Queen's Commendation for Bravery in 1953 for services rendered during the East Coast Floods.   1972 - 84, he was Chief Recreation Officer for Anglian Water Authority and from 1982 to 1987 he was Chairman of the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society.  He was also a member of the Air League.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

“Acting Squadron Leader Charles Vivian WINN (40586).

This officer has displayed great keenness to engage the enemy,  and his skill and leadership have inspired all with whom he has flown.  One night in April, 1942, Squadron Leader Winn assisted in the destruction of a Heinkel 111.”

(London Gazette – 29 September 1942)


Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order

“Acting Wing Commander Charles Vivian WINN, D.F.C. (40586), R.A.F., 141 Sqn.

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross.

Flight Lieutenant Ray Amherst Winckworth SCOTT, D.F.C. (47501), R.A.F., 141 Sqn.

As pilot and navigator respectively, these officers participated in an attack, by a small formation of aircraft, against the airfield at Munich-Neubiberb. The operation, which had been carefully planned, was brilliantly executed. Hangars and other buildings on the airfield were set on fire and much other damage was caused. By their skill, gallantry and determination, Wing Commander Winn and Flight Lieutenant Scott played a good part in the success achieved. These officers have a fine record of achievement and have set a splendid example to all.”

(London Gazette – 3 July 1945)

Recommendation for the award of Officer of the Order of the British Empire

"WINN, Charles Vivian, W/C (40586) - Headquarters, Transport Command.

 Wing Commander Winn is responsible for the flight plans and operational control of special flights including special operations and VIP flights undertaken by Transport Command.  During 1949 a total of 3,079 special flights were completed.  Resource, tact and intelligence play a large part in finalizing the various flight details before a VIP leaves by air and the officer responsible must be able to answer those queries which a VIP may personally present. Wing Commander Winn has displayed exceptional ability, energy and tact, and his efficiency is largely responsible for the apparent ease with which the very large number of VIP flights have been planned and executed.  Wing Commander Winn excels at this type of duty  and his vigour and personality have done much to achieve the present high standard  of special flights in Transport Command."

(Source - Air 2/10073)

This page was last updated on 14/03/24

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