Charles Halliwell: decorated for bravery after plane crash

Well-known York poppy seller Charles Halliwell, who was decorated for his bravery trying to rescue the crew of a crashed aeroplane during the Second World War, has died at the age of 83.

Mr Halliwell first came to North Yorkshire with the RAF during the war, when he was based at Wombleton in Ryedale.

He was awarded the British Empire Medal for gallantry in 1943 when a Canadian aeroplane crashed near Nunnington Church and Mr Halliwell, who worked in ground crew, was first on the scene.

Despite the flames that engulfed the aircraft he managed to drag all three of the crew out of the wreckage, although only one of them survived.

Mr Halliwell met his wife Catherine when they were both doing war service. She was in the ATS while he spent his career in the RAF, becoming a chief technician.

The couple lived at Nunnington for many years after the war, then moved to Slingsby before settling in Rawcliffe, York.

They were well-known for their work selling poppies for the Royal British Legion, and Mr Halliwell received a gold badge at Buckingham Palace for his service. The couple also worked for St Sampson's Church in York, and Mr Halliwell was heavily involved with the Royal Air Forces Association.

He was also an accomplished amateur artist and one of his paintings hangs in the War Museum in Malta.

Mr Halliwell is survived by his widow, his children Maureen, Rodney, Wendy, Michael and Gillian, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral was taking place at York Crematorium today.

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