ATLAS K1466 of 2FTS stalled and crashed nr Digby, Lincs 25-4-1932 'P/O J Martin" AFL

[paulmcmillan]

This has long been on my 'to figure out list'

Saturday 30 April 1932 , Grantham Journal , Lincolnshire, England

Pilot’s Narrow Escape.—
Pilot Officer J. Martin, of the Royal Air Force Camp Digby, narrowly escaped death on Monday(i.e 25th April 1932) when the aeroplane he was piloting crashed
into a stone wall near the camp. It is thought that Martin stalled to avoid another machine, and that the aeroplane went into a spin. The machine was damaged, and Martin was extricated with fractured thigh and other thigh and other injuries. Improvised splints were made from parts of the machine'

OK so who is Pilot Officer J. Martin

The nearest match I can find is John William Martin 75181 (who was transferred to Reserve, Class C (June 3 1932) ;

Additionally the following Pilot Officers are promoted to rank of Flying Officer J. W. Martin ; (March 12 1932),

The only fly in ointment is

"Pilot Officer J. W. Martin, to No. 39 (B) Squadron, Risalpur, India, 7.2.32"

I wonder if he ever went (seeing as he transferred to RAFO) 4 months later??

Can anyone either

a) Find another J Martin at 2 FTS in 1932 or in AFL ??

Thanks

Paul

[Errol Martyn]

Paul,

Could J. Martin be a misreporting of an A. Martin? (A and J can sound somewhat similar if not spoken clearly.)

In the May 1932 AFL there is listed in the index one Pilot Officer Alan C[ressswell]. Martin - column 1561.

When on looks up column 1561 there is no sign of A. C. Martin to be found, but under that column is featured 3 FTS based at Grantham.

So could ACM have been featured there in the AFL a month or two earlier (I don't have these) but removed from column 1561 upon being injured with updating of the index being overlooked in the May edition?

Cheers,
Errol

[paulmcmillan]

Errol

Thanks the info I have (news reports) says "J Martin" but I accept it could be wrong

J Serials has 2 FTS for K1466

I don't suppose you can tell me where J W Martin was in AFL for May 1932 - I just wonder if "binding time" before transferred to Reserve and not anting to go abroad

Paul


Paul

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

ROYAL AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE.

Appointments._ The following appointments in the Royal Air Force are notified:-

General Duties Branch.

The undermentioned are all posted to No.2 Flying Training School, Digby, with effect from 11.7.31 - one of whom, was: A. C. Martin.

https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1931/1931%20-%200851.PDF

32051 S/L Alan Cresswell MARTIN RAF, was KIA on 25/26-8-1941 when No.40 Sqn Wellington IC X9749, failed to return from ops to Karlsruhe - BCL2/125.

Col

[paulmcmillan]

Col

Thanks that nails it 'A' was misheard from 'J'

Has too be Alan Cresswell MARTIN

Thanks to you both for sorting this out

Paul

[Errol Martyn]

Paul,

J W Martin in the May 1932 AFL is shown as being with 39 Sqn as of 7 Feb 32.

Refering back to column 1561 of the May 1932 AFL - I should perhaps have also looked at 1560, as I see now that it shows A C Martin there under 2FTS as of 11 Jul 31 (as per Col's advice). The index does, however, show 1561 against his name.

Errol

[paulmcmillan]

Errol and Col
100% has to be A C Martin

So that is another one on a very long list sorted!

Thanks

Paul