The Association has learned of the death of Carl Haines on 1 June 2023 aged 92.
HAINES, Carl Edward
03/23/1931 – 06/01/2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carl Edward Haines on June 1st, 2023 at the age of 92, born March 23rd, 1931.
Carl was born in Hoo, Kent England. As a young boy he was mischievous. During WW2 he and his friends were known to hunt down unexploded bombs in the neighbourhood while fathers were away fighting and mothers were busy working.
As a young man, he enlisted in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and trained as an officer and pilot to fight in the Korean war. He flew combat missions on and off aircraft carriers far exceeding the allowable number and went on to become a test pilot flying hundreds of different planes back in the UK.
He organized and participated in many sports with his most enduring love being the game of golf. He started playing at age 19.
Carl met, married and started a family with Doreen Humphreys. He owned a pub (the White Lion) and started climbing the corporate ladder at Michelin and then Bridgestone Tire while relocating his family in Canada. He worked at TG&CC before retiring to Qualicum Beach.
Carl was intelligent, kind and funny. Very strong both mentally and physically, resilient and fearless in every situation. Even still, he was extremely tolerant in his own suffering all the while
maintaining a positive attitude. He truly loved history, dancing, golf and socializing. He played and taught bridge and was proud of his family.
Carl is predeceased by his wife, Doreen Haines. He will be remembered and sadly missed by his sister Joan Bartlett, his four daughters, Stephanie, Susan, Felicity and Victoria, son-in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Carl will be fondly missed by many at the Waterford where in his final decade he danced, shared cocktail hours, lots of laughs and enjoyed the company of the staff and his amazing friends, including his pal Carla. He was a charmer and in his final years he was uplifted by those around him.
Particular thanks to the tremendous support from the many care providers, from Heart2Heart, the medical staff and especially Dr. Colleen Lee and Dr. Schellenberg of the cancer clinic. Their input made a huge difference every day.
Carl loved his family, his friends and his wonderous flying career.
Published by Delta Optimist from Jun. 15 to Jul. 15, 2023.
Extract taken from ‘With the Carriers in Korea: The Sea and Air War in SE Asia, 1950 – 1953’ by John R P Lansdown
HMS Ocean 5 May – 8 Nov 1952
Sixth Patrol
Flying Operations started on the 9th, the early events well described by 802 Squadron’s diary:
‘Lieutenant Carmichael, Lieutenant Davis and Sub-Lieutenants Haines and Ellis started the ball rolling this morning by flying the first AR of the patrol. By 0600 they had entered the area and had commenced their Hanchon and Pyongyang to Chinnampo rail search. By 0630they had reconnoitred as far south as Chinji-ri, a small village about 15 miles north of Chinnampo. As they meandered down the line, checking the bridge state as they went, they suddenly saw eight jet bogies to the north. Almost immediately the bogies were identified as MiGs – and they were closing. By this time drop tanks were fluttering earthwards and the flight had assumed proper battle formation and No. 4 – Sub-Lieutenant Ellis – had noticed a shower of red tracer streaming past both sides of his fuselage. He cried “Break” over the R/T and the flight commenced a “Scissors”. It was soon apparent that four MiGs were after each section of two Furies but by continuing their break turns our aircraft presented practically impossible targets to the enemy who made no attempt to bracket.
‘On one occasion a MiG came head-on to Lieutenant Carmichael and Sub-Lieutenant Haines – they both fired – it broke away and proceeded to go head-on to Lieutenant Davis and Sub-Lieutenant Ellis – they both fired and registered hits. On another occasion a MiG pulled up in front of Ellis with its air brakes out and he was amused to find the range closing. He gave a long burst and noticed hits on the enemy’s wings. He aircraft then proceeded northwards at a reduced speed with two other MiGs in company. Meanwhile the flight, still in its battle formation, managed a dozen or so more firing passes at MiGs head-on. The dog fight lasted 4-5 minutes and then the MiGs disappeared as quickly as they had arrived – as they departed an aircraft was seen to crash into a hillside and blow up. At first Lieutenant Carmichael thought it was one of his flight and ordered a tell-off. However when No. 4 came up “loud and clear” it was realised that the Royal Navy had shot down its first Communist aircraft. Lieutenant Carmichael as flight leader is being credited with its destruction officially, but the rest of the flight are claiming their quarter as well.
‘As a result of that five minutes fight one MiG-15 was destroyed and tow others badly damaged – a remarkable feat achieved without a scratch to any of our machines.’