Charles Wheeler Video | Interviews

Sir Charles Cornelius Wheeler CMG (Selwyn Charles Cornelius-Wheeler, 15 March 1923 – 4 July 2008) was a British journalist and broadcaster. Having joined the BBC in 1947, he became the corporation's longest serving foreign correspondent, serving in the role until his death. Wheeler also had spells as presenter of several BBC current affairs television programmes including Newsnight and Panorama. Wheeler was born in Bremen, Germany, in 1923, where his father was working for the British Council. The family later moved to Hamburg where his father was employed by a shipping company. Educated... MORE

Sir Charles Cornelius Wheeler CMG (Selwyn Charles Cornelius-Wheeler, 15 March 1923 – 4 July 2008) was a British journalist and broadcaster. Having joined the BBC in 1947, he became the corporation's longest serving foreign correspondent, serving in the role until his death. Wheeler also had spells as presenter of several BBC current affairs television programmes including Newsnight and Panorama. Wheeler was born in Bremen, Germany, in 1923, where his father was working for the British Council. The family later moved to Hamburg where his father was employed by a shipping company. Educated at the Cranbrook School in Kent, his first job was as an errand boy at the Daily Sketch newspaper at the age of 17. He enlisted in the Royal Marines in 1941, rising to the rank of Captain. As part of a secret naval intelligence unit assembled by Ian Fleming - 30 Assault Unit, he participated in the Normandy Landings as second-in-command to Patrick Dalzel-Job. After leaving the Royal Marines in 1947, Wheeler joined the BBC, initially as a sub-editor at the Latin American division of the World Service. Wheeler's long career as a foreign correspondent began with a three-year posting to Berlin in 1950, LESS