The Papers of
William W. H. Martyn
Year by Year › 1940

1940

Skuas over Norway, Dunkirk and Calais

Flying Skuas with 801 Squadron, Bill makes 29 daylight raids over Norway, France and Belgium, more than any other Fleet Air Arm pilot. He helps cover the evacuation from Dunkirk, attacks the long-range gun at Calais, and shares in shooting down a Heinkel over Norway. Two Mentions in Despatches and the Distinguished Service Cross follow.

37 letters · 16 newspaper cuttings · 8 books

Bill’s first log book was lost when Indomitable was bombed in August 1942, so the flights before July 1941 are not known. This year is told through his letters and the papers.

January

Places named
DonibristleEvanton
Wrote
7 January 1940To Mother28 January 1940To Dad31 January 1940To Mother

February

Places named
EvantonEastleighInverness (Longman)
Wrote
2 February 1940To Mother6 February 1940To Mother9 February 1940To Dad13 February 1940To Mother16 February 1940To Jean26 February 1940To Mother

March

Places named
Evanton
Wrote
1 March 1940To Dad3 March 1940To Mother7 March 1940To Mother12 March 1940To Mother14 March 1940To Dad22 March 1940To Mother28 March 1940To Mother

April

Places named
Hatston
Wrote
16 April 1940To Dad23 April 1940To Mrs. MartynUndatedTo Mother and DadUndatedTo Jean

June

Places named
Evanton
Wrote
11 June 1940To Mr. and Mrs. Martyn13 June 1940To Mother23 June 1940To Mother and Dad27 June 1940To Mother
Papers
Times Colonist, 21 June 1940Canuck Leads RaidThe Windsor Star, 22 June 1940Attack Led By CanadianThe Guardian, 22 June 1940GUN-POST NEAR CALAIS WRECKEDThe Ottawa Journal, 22 June 1940Young [unclear: Canadian] Gun Emplacements Scotched By British Naval BombersThe Honolulu Advertiser, 22 June 1940RAF PLANES WRECK NAZI GUN EMPLACEMENTThe Leader-Post, 22 June 1940Attack on Calais Led by CanadianThe Vancouver Sun, 22 June 1940Canadian Flier Leads Deadly Dive-Bombing Raid On German Long-Range Gun Emplacements at CalaisThe Province, 22 June 1940Canuck Leader Of Calais Raid Found GunsThe Ottawa Citizen, 22 June 1940Canadian Airman Leads Successful Attack On Nazi Posts in CalaisThe Ottawa Journal, 22 June 1940Young Canadian Leads Air Raid on Key Harbor of Calais

July

Places named
HatstonReadingYeovilton
Wrote
1 July 1940To Mother13 July 1940To Dad
Papers
Calgary Herald, 10 July 1940He Got His Revenge Calgary Aviator Is Hero of Attack William Martyn Commended For Leading Attack on Nazi Air Base

August

Wrote
9 August 1940Admiralty certificate12 August 1940To Mother12 August 1940To Jean
Papers
Calgary Herald, 29 August 1940City Naval Pilot Earns Mention In Dispatches Lieutenant Martyn Commended For BraveryThe Province, 30 August 1940Calgary Flyer Honored

October

Places named
Hatston
Wrote
4 October 1940Admiralty certificate31 October 1940To Dad

November

Places named
HatstonInverness (Longman)
Wrote
9 November 1940To Dad9 November 1940To Mother15 November 1940To Mother27 November 1940To Mr. Martyn
Papers
The Gazette, 9 November 1940CALGARY FLIER HONORED Lieut. W. W. H. Martyn Mentioned Twice in DispatchesCalgary Herald, 25 November 1940BRAVERY RECOGNIZEDThe Gazette, 26 November 1940LT. MARTYN GETS D.S.C. Calgary Man Decorated for Fleet Air Arm Work

December

Wrote
20 December 1940To Mother25 December 1940To Dad

In the books

All the yearsThe letters of 1940All the books
← 1939: HMS Glorious and the coming of war1941: The King, a film, and HMS Indomitable →