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SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 9 AUGUST, 1940
Mention in Despatches
Lieutenant (A) William Wallace Haig Martyn, 801 Squadron.
"For bravery and continued devotion to duty in combating enemy aircraft"
This seems to have been awarded for a secret trip to locate long-range guns near calais that almost resulted in the death of "Johnny" his gunner/observer.
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"Digger" or "Moose" Martyn was born in Winnipeg, 30 December 1915.
The family moved to Calgary when he was a child.
Upon graduating high school he completed a one year
aeronautics program at the Provincial Institute of
Science and Art [1935-36].
The Calgary Aero Club most likely came into play as well.
In Early August 1936 he was on a train to the East coast &
then on to the Empress of Britain & a voyage to the UK.
Granted a short service commission (RAF #10925) in Sept. 1936.
To the The Civil Flying Training School 12 October 1936.
Then to RAF Uxbridge (until January 8) and then to
No. 3 Flying Training School, Grantham for advanced flying.
Transferred to the FAA in July 1938. He wanted to "see the world" (action).
Royal Navy at No.14 Elementary Flying Training School.
Then to No.5 Service Flying Training School.
Promoted to Lieutenant (Air), 1940.
Serving with No.801 Squadron, HMS Ark Royal.
On 13 October 1940 he joined No.880 Squadron, HMS Indomitable.
Served with 880 Sqn. during "Operation Pedestal" convoy to Malta.
Given Command of No.880 squadron in September 1942.
Aboard HMS Furious for the "Posthorn" attacks on shipping in Norway.
Promoted Lieutenant-Commander, 1944, effective 23 April 1943.
Read more here
Postwar he worked for Canadian National Railways.
"Final flight" 3 April 1975.
A great page on Bill can be found here
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Letters Home
August 21 1936 - I came up to London this morning by train, arriving about 12.00 p.m.
I will drop around at the Air Ministry tomorrow to see how things are coming along.
I saw a lot of Nazis from Germany in uniform-fine, well-built fellows.
August 31 - I was out to Croydon the other day and saw the great Imperial Airways planes. The pilots are wonderful. They set a plane down like a handkerchief falling. These planes carry nearly 48 passengers. All nationalities are represented. KLM Lines are Dutch. Then there are many Nazi planes with their good luck signs, etc. The number of aeroplane crack-ups is appalling in England - at least two or three a day. The air is literally filled with them.
October 12 - Arrived in Woodley today at 10.00 a.m. was issued flying equipment, had lunch, and was in the air in the afternoon. My instructor is Flying Officer Wilson. You should see the fellows dressed in fur-lined coveralls with huge collars. Seat pack parachutes, leather gloves, goggles and fleece lined high shoes. There are 24 other flyers here. Three pupils to my instructor. Our plane is a blood red monoplane. I sit in the back seat - its windy.
October 21 - ...Today I put in 1 hour 45 minutes flying. In straight-ahead flying we shoot ahead at 140 M.P.H. Our landing speed is high, 60-65 m.p.h. The machines are very delicate to handle.
Our school is the newest in England. Our flying machines are the very latest and the most beautiful in the sky. The way the red fuselages flash in the sunlight is wonderful!
Read more here
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MARTYN, Lieutenant (Air) William Haig - Mention in Despatches
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 4 October 1940.
"For good services in an air attack on oil tanks in Norway"
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MARTYN, Lieutenant (Air) William Haig - Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 November 1940.
"For continued good service in operations against enemy forces in Norway"
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MARTYN, Lieutenant (A) William Haig - Mention in Despatches
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 10 November 1942.
"For bravery and dauntless resolution...when an important convoy was fought through to Malta in the face of relentless attacks by day and night from submarines, aircraft and surface forces."
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MARTYN, Lieutenant Commander William Haig, DSC - Bar to DSC - C/O No.888 Squadron
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 5 September 1944.
This was one of a group of awards made "for courage, skill and devotion to duty while operating from or serving in His Majesty's Ships Furious and Victorious during many successful strikes at enemy shipping off the coast of Norway."
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Victories Include :
17 Apr 1940
26 Apr 1940
31 May 1942
12 Aug 1942 |
1/3 Do18
1/2 He111
one Me109
1.5 Ju88s |
destroyed [a]
destroyed [b]
destroyed [c]
destroyed [d] |
3.33 - 2.33 / 8 - 0 / 0
No info on possible probable claims.
[a] 1400 hours - No.801 Squadron, one Do.18 destroyed west of Stavanger while flying Skua II (serial unknown), shared with Lt. Commander H. Peter Bramwell in Skua II L2907, 7A and Sub-Lieutenant Bernard Frank Wigginton in Skua II L2921, 7F. Pilot was Lt. zur See Max Keil. Combat report in Public Record Office ADM 199/115-464, 465 and 466.
[b] 1145 hours - No.801 squadron, one He111 destroyed over Lesjaskog, Skua coded 7C, shared with Lt. Commander H. Peter Bromwell in L2907. Pilot was Fw Richard Gumbrecht.
[c] Aircraft of 3/JG 20, pilot Uffz Werner Francke Killed. This 109 was shot down by rear gunner L. W. Miles with his lewis gun.
[d] No.800 Sqn. one Ju88 destroyed between Gibraltar and malta, Sea Hurricane I V7516. Combat report in Public Record Officer ADM 199/115-248. One Ju.88 destroyed, shared with Sub-Lieutenant J. L. Hastings (Z4056). Combat report in ADM 119/115-252. Aircraft of I or II/KG1. |
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