Flight Lieutenant Charlie Attrill MBE – who invented the torpedo-dropping gear – was cremated at Whippingham on 29th September 1962.
Charlie Attrill is another unsung hero of Isle of Wight invention. There is no mention of his achievements on the internet – not even a photo. However, his life has been recorded in old newspaper cuttings.
The Flight Lieutenant was born in Lake. He joined the Royal Navy as a 16-year-old in 1892. He qualified as a torpedo instructor on HMS Vernon before being transferred to the Royal Naval Flying Wing in 1913.
While with the Flying Wing, he was primarily responsible for the invention of the first device for dropping torpedoes out of aircraft.
The 1st aerial torpedo drop was performed by pilot Charles Gordon Bell on 27th July 1914. This led to the construction of the 1st operational torpedo aircraft – the Short Type 184 – in 1915. By the end of World War I, 936 such aircraft had been built by 10 different aircraft companies.
On 12th August 1915, a Short Type 184 became the 1st in the world to attack an enemy ship with an air-launched torpedo, sinking a Turkish supply ship in the Sea of Marmara.
On the formation of the RAF on 1st April 1918, Charles Attrill transferred from the Royal Naval Flying Wing and was commissioned as an officer. He was awarded an MBE for his service in France, Italy and the Dardanelles. After the war, he served as a torpedo officer in Gosport until his retirement in 1925.
On retiring from the armed services, Mr Attrill became treasurer of the British Legion in Brading, working to support disabled ex-servicemen and their dependents.
Whilst in the Air Force, he had run a football side. On his retirement, he became a referee. He was a lifelong supporter of Portsmouth FC and Brading Town.
Charles Attrill was survived by a widow, 3 sons, a daughter, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Isle of Wight Chronicle, 4th September 1962
These local historical articles are fascinating.
Keep them coming.
Thanks.
Thank you for your service to your country Mr Atrrill. RIP
These Island Echo ‘old news’ stories are really amazing
Local history that not many people know about, I look forward to reading more of them.