John Claverley Matrin joined the RAF in 1937, so I would imagine he saw it as a career with, at the time, a chance of action and danger. The RAF saw it as a way to expand in preparation for a possible war with nazi Germany.
He had that chance with the beginning of World War 2. He then was with 98 Squadron, flying the Fairey Battle as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force in France. 98 was used as a reserve squadron and saw no action - a good thing for the men, as the Battle was obsolete and was hacked out of the air whenever it met the modern fighters of the Luftwaffe. 98 did, however lose 90 men in the 1940 evacuation when the RMS Lancastria was bombed and sunk off St Nazaire on June 17.
In August of 1940, Martin volunteered to be transferred to Fighter Command. This was at the height of the Battle of Britain and Fighter Command was desperate for pilots - especially experienced ones. He joined 32 (Hurricane) Squadron on September 3 and then 257 (Hurricane) Squadron on the 17th.
In March, 1941 he was transferred to 485 (NZ) Squadron flying Spitfires. The Squadron was flying old Mark 1 planes, practising their skills before receiving new planes and being declared operational. Martin was made a Flight Commander in 485.
In June of 1941 he was attached to 222 Squadron as a Flight Commander and fought with them, claiming two German aircraft on August 19.
On August 27, 222 Squadron was ordered to provide a fighter escort to a squadron of Blenheim bombers in the vicinity of Lille, France. While returning they were attack by German fighters and, in the confusion, two RAF fighters collided. No one was sure who had fallen but, on return, a Spitfire and a Hurricane were missing.
John Claverley Martin had married in England in 1940. His wife, Edna, remarried in 1944.
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| Photo: allspitfirepilots.org |
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| Timaru Cemetery. |
I am indebted to allspitfirepilots.org for information on John Martin's career.
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