1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
Charles was raised with a belief in diligence, social responsibility and a passion for knowledge which has served him well through his navy years and now sees him involved in countless charitable endeavours.
Growing up on the shores of Belfast Lough in Holywood, County Down with hardworking parents running a local business, inspirational grandparents heavily involved in the community, and surrounded by twenty-five cousins, Charles describes his upbringing as wonderful, both at home and at school where he excelled in sports, music and sciences. He had aspirations of becoming a pharmaceutical chemist but on a visit to the cruiser, HMS Bermuda at Belfast, he was smitten by the glistening ship, the immaculate machinery and the striking officers on deck. Having recently watched the epic film ‘The Cruel Sea’, thoughts of chemistry were abandoned, replaced by the adventurous call of the Royal Navy and those fabulous duffle coats.
In 1960 he took the long journey from Belfast to Dartmouth and life was never the same again.
He calls it ‘The Great Adventure’ and as with most things in Charles’ life, he embraced the opportunities, gaining qualifications, experience and promotions along the way, helped by his easy manner, his northern Irish brogue and twinkling blue eyes. He had seven staff appointments ashore and his service in some 14 ships of the fleet includes two as the navigating officer, three as first lieutenant and, the highlight of his career, command of HMS Illustrious for a major refit at Devonport. He completed his time on the ‘active list’ as the commander of the port at Devonport, before spending ten years as a retired officer, serving as the naval base liaison officer.
Through part-time study he gained a master’s degree in social science (heritage management) awarded by the University of Birmingham. With his keen interest in heritage and conservation, an intimate knowledge of Devonport and in particular, a history of support to the Royal Navy, Charles was invited to lead the project for the development of the Naval Base Visitor Centre and Naval Base Museum. He also three Plymouth Navy Days and was appointed an OBE for his naval service in 1994. Charles retired in 2007, but was then retained by Plymouth City Council as project officer for Plymouth Armed Forces Week, culminating in 2012 when Plymouth hosted the National Armed Forces Day attended by Prince Edward.
Along with his wife, Delia, Charles is a chaplaincy volunteer at Derriford Hospital and an active member of the Church of St. Nicholas at the Devonport Naval Base. Family, the church and music have been constants throughout Charles’ life. He once had hopes of playing the organ professionally, and stands in as relief organist every few weeks at St. Nicholas. He also considers himself to be a modest pianist and an enthusiastic accordion player. He has a passion for the pipes and drums and for 20 years was the drum major of the City of Plymouth Pipe Band, taking every opportunity to twirl his mace.
Retirement for some is an opportunity to slow down, but not for Charles whose CV runs like the who’s who of community schemes.
He is a trustee of the Phoenix Project which aims to build accommodation for veterans, an ambassador for the Alabare Plymouth Home for Veterans and chair of the trustees of a new charity, ‘Future Fit – Junior Field Gun’, giving young people an insight into the highly popular field gun competitions. Charles is patron of the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex-services Association, director of the Plymouth Remembrance Festival, and president of the Friends of the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. In his youth Charles was one of the youngest scout leaders in his home town and is now president of the Plymouth District Scouts, as well as a guide ambassador.
After 19 house moves and 47 years in the naval service, Charles, his wife Delia and their four children settled in Crapstone where they have lived for 33 years until moving to Yelverton last year. Unsurprisingly Charles has begun mapping out chapters for a memoir – although I think he may struggle to fit it all into one volume. He is a navy man through and through and alongside this successful, diverse career, he has been at the vanguard of charitable causes and social advance all his life. He also has a wardrobe full of what he describes as ‘dressing-up clothes’ – each one a sentiment to his dynamic personality and steadfast belief in altruism.
Nichola Williams