Navy veteran makes return to water after 70 years

Charles Wylie was raising money for a dementia charity

A war veteran has embarked on a challenge to row across a harbour, 70 years after serving in the Royal Navy.

Charles Wylie, who fought in the Korean War, returned to Portsmouth Naval Base to mark his 91st birthday.

Rowing team HMS Oardacious joined the former warship commander in his mission across Portsmouth Harbour.

They made history as the fastest military crew to row the Atlantic in 2020, but said they were happy to take on a gentler expedition.

Mr Wylie rose through the ranks to command warships

Mr Wylie, who joined the Royal Navy in 1948, said he had made sure he was prepared before picking up the oars.

"I stretched down to my toes about four times," he said, adding: "It's the first time I've rowed for about seventy years."

The veteran was raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK, a charity close to his heart.

"My wife's been coping with dementia for 10 years and there's nothing that anybody can do at the moment.

"It's such a dreadful, dreadful affliction that I'm determined to raise whatever money I can to help put an end to it."

For his 90th birthday, the war veteran jumped out of a plane from 13,000ft (3962m)

Mr Wylie had previously taken on other fundraising challenges, such as skydiving with the Red Devils in 2023.

Shaped by years of military service, he said he had a focused mindset.

"I'm conscious of the principles of war and they are applicable in life, in business, in sport, in romance - and the first principle of war is the aim.

"Establishing a clear aim makes all the difference in your life."

For his next challenge, he said he hoped to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower.