Edward Francis John Charles, DSO, DFC & Bar (6 February 1919 – 5 November 1986) was an English-born Canadian officer and flying ace who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in July 1941, he spent the final few months of the year and most of 1942 on instructing duties.

Edward Francis John Charles was born in Coventry, England, on 6 February 1919, the son of a former pilot in the Royal Flying Corps.

Educated at Lashburn High School, Charles served in the militia from June 1937, as part of the 16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse, and then in January 1938, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

The following year he went to the United Kingdom and was granted a five-year short service commission as a pilot officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF), with effect from 15 May 1939.

2 Squadron, which operated Westland Lysanders in an Army Co-Operation role, but within a matter of weeks volunteered for Fighter Command.

[5] The squadron, operating Supermarine Spitfire fighters, had been intensively engaged in the aerial fighting over the southeast of England during the peak of the Battle of Britain and was now based at Catterick.

[6] On one of these, carried out on 17 April, Charles shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter to the east of Manston, his first aerial victory.

Following an engagement over Cap Gris-Nez, he claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter as probably destroyed on 17 June, beginning a run of successes over the next month.

The published citation read: This officer has displayed exceptional zeal and immense enthusiasm during the many offensive sweeps carried out by his unit.

[4] A Spitfire squadron, this was part of the fighter wing at Hornchurch, tasked with sweeps and escort missions to occupied Europe.

[1][4] His successes was rewarded with an announcement of a Bar to his DFC on 16 July; the published citation read: This officer is a first class fighter, whose fine leadership, cool judgement and efficiency have set an admirable example.

He has destroyed 13 enemy aircraft and damaged several more.In recognition of the squadron's efforts escorting bombers of the USAAF on raids to France, Charles was awarded the Silver Star, a United States gallantry medal, just five days later.

The published citation read: Wing Cdr Charles is an inspiring leader, whose great skill and tenacity have contributed materially to the successes obtained by the formations with which he has flown.

In September, 1943, he led a formation of fighters which acted as escort to a bomber force detailed to attack an airfield in Northern France.

During the operation, 12 enemy fighters were engaged and, in the ensuing combats, four of the hostile aircraft were shot down, one of them by Wing Cdr.

This officer has destroyed at least 15 enemy aircraft and has displayed great courage and unflagging devotion to duty.Returning to Canada at the start of 1944, Charles embarked on a lecture tour of the country before returning to Europe in April.

Although this was successfully treated, he suffered a recurrence of the condition and was discharged from the RCAF on the grounds of ill health in 1951.

He was hospitalised at Shaughnessy Veterans' Hospital in Vancouver, and remained here for the rest of his life receiving treatment.