I wouldn't trade this job for anything in the world.
Bill during RAF pilot training
December 1936

Lt. Cdr. William W. H. Martyn,
D.S.C. and Bar (RN)

This website is dedicated to preserving and sharing the military service of Bill Martyn from 1936 - 1946, first with the Royal Air Force and then the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm.

Bill served with distinction through-out the war in Europe and the Pacific and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Bar, as well as receiving 3 M.i.D.'s (Mention in Despatches).

Don't worry about me - I'm happy, and where I want to be - the probability of not pulling through this war causes me no anxiety.
in a letter to his father
October 1941

Quick Facts

Born: December 30, 1915 (Winnipeg, Canada)
Hometown: Calgary, Canada
Died: April 3, 1975 (Victoria, Canada)
Height: 6' 2"
Military Service: October 1936 - June 1946
RAF: October 12, 1936 to August 1, 1938
RN Fleet Air Arm: August 1, 1938 to June 1946

Total Flying Hours: 1,752
Types of Aircraft Operated: 48
Aircraft Carriers In: 7
Aerodromes Visited: 100
Countries Visited: 16
Enemy Aircraft Downed: 4 (with 8 probable)
Highest Decoration: Distinguished Service Cross and Bar

Choose your mission

STORY

Peter Lawson's Firsts and Foremost: The Story of Bill Martyn provides an excellent summary of what Bill did during World War II. I recommend starting there.

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BLOG

Drawing on all aspects of Bill's life from 1936 to 1945, the blog weaves a mosaic patchwork of stories that aim to breath life into events that took place more than 75 years ago.

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LOG BOOK

Bill's second log book, from July 1941 to November 1945, is shared here. Unfortunately, his first log book was lost during Operation Pedestal, when Indomitable was bombed.

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LETTERS

Three hundred plus letters provide a unique glimpse into the thoughts and experiences of a young man pursuing his dream and ultimately getting caught up in war.

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MAPS

Here you will find an interactive map of the aerodromes and countries Bill visited/operated from between 1936-1945. A second map about operations is in the works.

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NEWSPAPER

Bill made headlines around the world with a raid on a long-range gun at Calais. Notices of M.i.D.'s, his DSC and Bar featured in Canadian newspapers. And other clippings here.

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Bill (right) and friends. Circa 1931

Courtesy of John Shipman

Group photo of 41(F) Squadron, 10/1937

Bill is seated in the 2nd row, forth from left

41(F)
P/O Matheson
Sergeant Pilot Shipman
Self (Bill)
P/O Strong
F/O Wallace (B Flight Commander)

"Outside the flight office, Catterick"

"This ugly son of yours wishes you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the sunny shores of Egypt" 1938

"In my room at Hal Far, note
Mosquito net in background"
1939

"Barnes and self"
Malta, March 1939

Bill, Bell, Campbell-Horsfall, Bromley, Garlick, Nichols.
Hal Far, Malta. January 1939
802(FF)

Bill in his Nimrod, Hal Far, 1938

Bill photographs F/O Smith as they fly over the pyramids of Giza. 1938

Garlick, Bell, Smith & Bill.
HMS Glorious
Alexandria 1939

"70mph to 0mph - Grab one of those wires or else! Note intent watching by troops - will he go over the side? If he does we don't want to miss it! This is not a fast fighter. Glorious 480 ft deck, U.S. carrier 888 ft - sissies!" (HMS Glorious 1938)

King inspection of 880 Squadron. Pictured are: Richardson, Blasher NZ, Whitehead, Fraser NZ, Button, Gilbert NZ, Westwood, Leighton, Pye, the King, Dennison (Sr Pilot of 880), Sir Bruce Fraser. Some of 880 "a little untidy - good uniforms ashore but caught by surprise visit of H.M."
Bill is not pictured. He did a fly past for King Geroge VI.