Page 4 - Charles Roach

The information and images on this page were supplied by Tony Roach whose
late Father was a 576 Squadron navigator stationed at Fiskerton.

He was Flight Lieutenant Charles, (Chas, Charlie) Roach,

Service number: 1321147.

Born 26 October 1921 in East Ham, London.
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He trained as an Observer/Navigator at Durban, South Africa from March to
July 1942, after having joined up in late 1939 aged 18. He completed his flight
training at various places (RFU Dunfries, ABTF Fulbeck and Conversion Unit at
Waddington) before being assigned to 57 Squadron, Scampton in December
1942. His crew completed 29 successful and 5 unsuccessful sorties between
December 1942 and June 1943 from Scampton. In July 1943 he transferred to
a special flight, 1577 RDU, taking 2 Lancaster and 2 Halifax aircraft to India for
trials to determine their suitability for use against Japan. During this period they
also trialled towing Hamilcar and Horsa gliders, presumably as a precursor to
the D-Day landings. They returned from this duty in November 1944 and he
undertook refresher training at 20 Operational Training Unit Lossiemouth and
1656 Heavy Conversion Unit Lindholme until May 1945 when he was attached
to 576 Squadron at Fiskerton.

Charles moved to 50 Squadron Sturgate in September 1945 and to 1668
Heavy Conversion Unit Cottesmore in February 1946. He was demobbed in
March/April 1946. Charles sadly died in June 2007, aged 86. He was married
to Tony's Mother for 59 1/2 years and they have 3 children, 2 boys and a girl, of
whom Tony is the eldest.

During his life, Charles was reluctant to talk about his wartime experiences, he
was grateful to have survived when so many didn't. He was also proud to have
served his country and done his duty.

He had every right to be.