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235884 Sgt. John Basil "Jack" Martyn Royal New Zealand Air Force 428 (Ghost) Squadron from:Rangiora, North Canterbury, New Zealand (d.30th March 1943) My uncle John Martyn was the son of Lionel Hubert and Edith Martyn (nee Lanyon) of Rangiora, North Canterbury; elder brother of Allan David Martyn. Born at Rangiora on 1st March 1919, Jack was educated at Rangior High School. He played rugby and cricket at school, later becoming a member of the North Canterbury Football Club. At the time of his enlistment into the Airforce Jack was employed by the North Canterbury Electric Power Board Rangiora as an Electrical Apprentice.
Jack applied for aircrew training on 24 June 1940 and he entered the Ground Training School at Levin in September 1941 then underwent basic flying training at 1 Flying Training School (FTS), Tairei and 1 FTS, Wigram. In early February 1942 Sgt Martyn was awarded his Wings at RNZAF Station Wigram, and promoted to Sergeant Pilot on 28th of March 1942.
Sgt Martyn embarked for the UK on 13th of April 1942 and underwent further training on Airspeed Oxford aircraft at No 3 Advanced Flying Unit at South Cerney, Gloucestershire followed. Sgt Martyn commenced operational training on the Vickers Wellington bomber at No 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott, Buckinghamshire from October 1942 and in December was posted to 428 (RCAF) Squadron, RAF Dalton, Yorkshire.
On 29th of March 1943 Sgt Martyn, having accumulating 47.16 operational flying hours to date, was on his 9th bombing mission to Germany.
He was one of the crew of 428 (Ghost) Squadron, RCAF, Vickers Wellington B MkX HE-175 NA-U on operations to Bochum.
- NZ415001 Sgt (Pilot) J. B. Martyn, RNZAF pilot
- 1237623 Sgt (Obs) N. S. Farr, RAFVR Navigator
- 1270441 F/Sgt (WAG) L. W. Hayward RAFVR Wireless Op/Air Gunner
- 1331554 Sgt (Obs) K. Benjamin, RAFVR Air Bomber/Aimer/Forward Gunner
- 411746 Sgt (AG) J. C. Donaldson, RNZAF Air Gunner (Rear)
Sgt Martyn and his crew were returning from the mission to Bochum when at approx 0200hrs on 30 March 1943, in particularly bad weather, he transmitted that he was preparing to ditch his aircraft into the sea, 26 miles east of Acklington, Northumberland. Despite a lengthy search later that day no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found. All crew members were subsequently posted missing presumed dead .
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