A HERO wing commander and one of the last surviving Lancaster bomber squadron members has died at the age of 92.

Brave Charles Cawthorne, known as Charlie Boy, died peacefully in the Great Western Hospital on February 14.

The courageous 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, fearless Charles leapt from a plunging aircraft outside Deurne, Holland in 1944 and made it back to Britain with the help of the Dutch Resistance.

In 1943 his Lancaster was part of a successful mission targeting the Peenemunde V2 rocket factories.

Charles’ son Stuart said he had never met a braver man than his father.

“I am very proud of him and everything he did," said Stuart.

"It meant a lot to him to be able to serve and protect his country.

"He was very meticulous and because of his RAF career he always thought there were no excuses you had to put the effort in and try hard.”

His daughter-in-law Roslyn added: “He was mercurial. He could be the life of the party but was also strict. He was used to being in charge and he didn’t suffer fools lightly.”

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.

The RAF proved to be a family affair for Charles whose older brother Eddie was a flying instructor with sisters Doreen and Valerie also RAF veterans.

Despite his tender years dedicated Charles cut his teeth during dangerous Lancaster Bomber missions in Germany.

When he was with Bomber Command's 61 squadron his plane was shot down and he had to parachute to safety into German-controlled Deurne.

Roslyn said the canny young man hid in a haystack before making his escape.

“He disguised himself as a peasant as he had bury his uniform so no-one knew who he was," said Roslyn.

"When he made contact with the Dutch resistance they doubted he was British, he started cursing and that’s when they knew he was telling the truth.”

Charles, who was declared missing in action, later surprised his mum by turning up on her doorstep and asking what was for dinner when he made it back to British shores.

His heroic exploits in the air earned him a Distinguished Flying Medal. personally presented by King George.

In 1946 he married his sweetheart Hazel with the happy couple welcoming two children Stuart and Cherie.

The devoted father enjoyed playing football with his son, teaching him how to ski and fishing

Charles’ high-flying career saw the family live on RAF bases around the world including Cyprus, Germany and Singapore.

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

Stuart said he would forever treasure the memory of his father’s visit to Hamilton Canada and a surprise trip to one of the only surviving flying Lancaster bombers.

The trip saw the brave pilot return to the controls of the iconic war plane.

He said: “He was telling the pilots things they didn’t even know and he was absolutely thrilled to be back.”

Charles moved to Swindon in the '70s before settling in Highworth in 1985

He had five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren including two named in his honour.

After he moved to Swindon he took up a management role with Allied-Lyons. In later years he enjoyed golfing, gardening and travelling with Hazel.

His funeral will be held at St Michael’s Anglican Church, Lechlade Road, Highworth, on March 16 at 11.45am.