VETERANS, friends and family members bid farewell to ‘officer and a gentleman’ and Lancaster bomber hero Charles Cawthorne today.

Wing commander Charles, known as Charlie Boy, died last month at the Great Western Hospital aged 92.

The heroic RAF veteran from Highworth survived 27 deadly missions, many of them into Germany’s dreaded Ruhr Valley where the co-pilot risked his life to protect his country during the Second World War.

During a career spanning more than three decades, Charles leapt from a plunging aircraft outside Deurne, Holland, in 1944 and took part in the destruction of the Peenemunde V2 rocket factories in 1943.

In a nod to Charles’ high flying exploits, his coffin was draped in a Union Flag with his medals and wing commander's cap resting on top.

Pall bearers entered St Michael and All Angels' Church, Highworth to Evening Hymn and Sunset by the RAF’s Central Band.

Charles’ beloved son Stuart said his father had taught him and sister Cherie how to be strong and brave like he was.

He said: “Dad gave us the strength of character, determination, independence and an abiding love of home, family, and most importantly country. Thank you dad from me and Cherie.

“Now it is time for you to rev up those four Merlin engines and fly off on sortie number 28 on another wonderful adventure. I salute you.”

A tribute from Charles’ beloved grandsons Mark, David, and Geoffrey read by Charles daughter-in-law Roslyn said the wing commander’s spirit lived on his family.

“Grandpa your legacy lives on in the next generation of Cawthornes and the youngest great-grandchild Charles Winston. Rest in peace grandpa, we love you.”

The tribute drew laughs from the congregation when it recounted the time Charles dressed up as a bear, complete with terrifying growl, to scare the first grandson who went out the front door.

Charles was born in Dalston, London, and had a keen interest in football and boxing in his early years. He joined the RAF at Halton as an apprentice aged 15.

In 1946 he married his sweetheart and ‘world’ Hazel with the happy couple going on to have two children Stuart and Cherie.

Decades later his career would come full circle when he returned to RAF Halton as a wing commander to train new recruits

Charles was also a devoted grandfather to his five grandchildren and eight grandchildren.

He became well-known and loved in the Highworth community, would give talks to school-children and was heavily involved with the Poppy Appeal

The poignant Last Post closed the service as veterans saluted Charles on his final journey.

Guests then gathered at the Wrag Barn Golf Club to share memories of Charles.