Mo Botwood
June 19, 2012 at 10:13 am

Vale Don Charlwood RAAF AM

Don Charlwood RAAF passed away on Monday. Navigator on 103 Squadron in 1943 on the fiirst crew to complete a tour of Ops in 7 months.

Best selling author of “No Moon Tonight” and “Journeys into Night”: both being autobiographical. He had just returned to Australia from UK from the commemoration of the Bomber Command memorial. At the age of 96 it must have been a pretty hard task – but one he would not shirk.

A Historian and a foundation member of Australian Post-War Air Traffic Control. He recruited almost all Controllers from the aircrew ranks over 15 years. He will be sorely missed by many.

A gentleman and above all; a mate.

Mo Botwood

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By: David_Kavangh - 22nd August 2012 at 12:11

In today’s DT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9490827/Don-Charlwood.html

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By: David_Kavangh - 19th June 2012 at 16:27

Very sad news. No Moon Tonight and Journeys into Night are probably amongst the best books by former Bomber Command aircrew. 25 plus years ago I first read these. Don also had a major part in the Australian TV programme on Bomber Command from the mid 80s, Wings of the Storm, shown on UK Channel 4 around that time. Worth seeing if you can get a copy. Sad he was unable to have seen the unveiling of the BC memorial on 28 June.

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By: D1566 - 19th June 2012 at 13:02

RIP. I too have read and re-read his books. Classics from a quiet hero.

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By: ozjag - 19th June 2012 at 12:22

Thanks for letting us know Mo.

Very sad news indeed. Both of the books mentioned above are excellent, I have lost track of the number of times I have read ‘No Moon Tonight’

Paul

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By: Sgt.Austin - 19th June 2012 at 11:32

Very sad news, another hero takes to the skies for the last time. No moon tonight is a fantastic book, a must read for anyone with any interest in Bomber Command.

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By: Atcham Tower - 19th June 2012 at 11:25

Thanks for posting that very sad news, Mo. I never met Don but spoke to him on the phone when he was in the UK many years ago. I treasure a signed and personally dedicated copy of No Moon Tonight. That book is as much a memorial to Bomber Command as the stone one will be. He was a remarkable gentleman.