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"Mainly you’re so busy you don’t have time to get scared. You’re trying to get out of whatever kind of a problem you got into, and in this case the airplane made it simple for us."
Hugh Bartley served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. See his full testimony below.
Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.
Wartime medals are the first five shown starting with 1939-45 Star. Remainder were awarded for peacetime service. Total coverage 32 years.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","conversion_urls":{"original":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/564_original.jpg"},"url":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/564_original.jpg","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","pivot":{"mediable_id":"a4cb627a-fd1e-4f91-9dae-a7fdd00f5255","media_id":"07df323c-54c5-4dbc-9f5f-576209c47ef6","mediable_type":"App\\Models\\Article","tag":"gallery","order":1},"translations":[{"id":"d1f2d779-76b7-497f-b985-7c25d544de0c","media_id":"07df323c-54c5-4dbc-9f5f-576209c47ef6","title":"Certificate of Service Front, September 17, 1971.","alt":"Certificate of Service Front, September 17, 1971.","caption":"
The certificate covers service from March 8, 1941 to May 19, 1972. It lists (among other things) medals awarded.
Wartime medals are the first five shown starting with 1939-45 Star. Remainder were awarded for peacetime service. Total coverage 32 years.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"en","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"},{"id":"f640e1b6-f1aa-4c40-b1df-14c8cddd6ffe","media_id":"07df323c-54c5-4dbc-9f5f-576209c47ef6","title":"Certificat de service du front, 17 septembre 1971.","alt":"Certificat de service du front, 17 septembre 1971.","caption":"
Le certificat couvre le service effectu\u00e9 du 8 mars 1941 au 19 mai 1972. Il liste (parmi d'autres choses) les m\u00e9dailles re\u00e7ues.
Les m\u00e9dailles en tant de guerre sont les cinq premi\u00e8res m\u00e9dailles en commen\u00e7ant avec la 1939-45 Star. Le reste des m\u00e9dailles a \u00e9t\u00e9 attribu\u00e9 pour les services effectu\u00e9s en temps de paix. Le total couvre 32 ans de service.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"fr","credit":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"}]}">
Wartime medals are the first five shown starting with 1939-45 Star. Remainder were awarded for peacetime service. Total coverage 32 years.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","conversion_urls":{"original":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/565_original.jpg"},"url":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/565_original.jpg","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","pivot":{"mediable_id":"a4cb627a-fd1e-4f91-9dae-a7fdd00f5255","media_id":"45603999-5554-4bd6-b6f3-f4c54625d025","mediable_type":"App\\Models\\Article","tag":"gallery","order":2},"translations":[{"id":"e35edd8f-03b3-4ab9-b8f5-6f295a573f70","media_id":"45603999-5554-4bd6-b6f3-f4c54625d025","title":"Certificate of Service Front, September 17, 1971.","alt":"Certificate of Service Front, September 17, 1971.","caption":"
The certificate covers service from March 8, 1941 to May 19, 1972. It lists (among other things) medals awarded.
Wartime medals are the first five shown starting with 1939-45 Star. Remainder were awarded for peacetime service. Total coverage 32 years.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"en","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"},{"id":"4c730b2a-7888-490d-9050-c9c1b32d8e42","media_id":"45603999-5554-4bd6-b6f3-f4c54625d025","title":"Certficat de service du front, 17 septembre 1971.","alt":"Certficat de service du front, 17 septembre 1971.","caption":"
Le certificat couvre le service effectu\u00e9 du 8 mars 1941 au 19 mai 1972. Il liste (parmi d'autres choses) les m\u00e9dailles re\u00e7ues.
Les m\u00e9dailles en tant de guerre sont les cinq premi\u00e8res m\u00e9dailles en commen\u00e7ant avec la 1939-45 Star. Le reste des m\u00e9dailles a \u00e9t\u00e9 attribu\u00e9 pour les services effectu\u00e9s en temps de paix. Le total couvre 32 ans de service.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"fr","credit":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"}]}">
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","conversion_urls":{"original":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/567_resize.jpg"},"url":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/567_resize.jpg","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","pivot":{"mediable_id":"a4cb627a-fd1e-4f91-9dae-a7fdd00f5255","media_id":"758ab000-1fe3-4dc0-b028-9841d295da21","mediable_type":"App\\Models\\Article","tag":"gallery","order":3},"translations":[{"id":"6029a0ac-ba48-4601-88b6-ee5bb0ac9c76","media_id":"758ab000-1fe3-4dc0-b028-9841d295da21","title":"Photo of Hugh and Barbara's wedding, December 9, 1944, in Idull, England.","alt":"Photo of Hugh and Barbara's wedding, December 9, 1944, in Idull, England.","caption":"
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"en","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"},{"id":"accb4ba4-1d8b-4560-bd05-27aaccc5b658","media_id":"758ab000-1fe3-4dc0-b028-9841d295da21","title":"Photo du mariage d'Hugh et Barbara, le 9 d\u00e9cembre 1944, \u00e0 Idull en Angleterre.","alt":"Photo du mariage d'Hugh et Barbara, le 9 d\u00e9cembre 1944, \u00e0 Idull en Angleterre.","caption":"
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"fr","credit":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"}]}">
Hugh's parents, in Canada, received similar message.
\"Amongst other things our schedule married (October 1st) resulted in my fianc\u00e9 having to \"turn off\" all arrangements in progress, return of all wedding gifts, etc.\"
2nd attempt: December 9, 1944, went off on schedule.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","conversion_urls":{"original":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/563_resize.jpg"},"url":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/563_resize.jpg","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","pivot":{"mediable_id":"a4cb627a-fd1e-4f91-9dae-a7fdd00f5255","media_id":"d85c7b72-35b8-4075-a9e1-f8697b1cc933","mediable_type":"App\\Models\\Article","tag":"gallery","order":4},"translations":[{"id":"ce9cb088-24c6-4a70-ba06-7a832a3dba5d","media_id":"d85c7b72-35b8-4075-a9e1-f8697b1cc933","title":"Telegram from Bomber Command H.Q. informing Hugh's fianc\u00e9 that he has gone missing, as of September 16, 1944.","alt":"Telegram from Bomber Command H.Q. informing Hugh's fianc\u00e9 that he has gone missing, as of September 16, 1944.","caption":"
Standard type message in all such cases.
Hugh's parents, in Canada, received similar message.
\"Amongst other things our schedule married (October 1st) resulted in my fianc\u00e9 having to \"turn off\" all arrangements in progress, return of all wedding gifts, etc.\"
2nd attempt: December 9, 1944, went off on schedule.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"en","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"},{"id":"4655f1ef-88ae-4bde-8f6e-ee8ac2472ea2","media_id":"d85c7b72-35b8-4075-a9e1-f8697b1cc933","title":"T\u00e9l\u00e9gramme provenant du Bomber Command H.Q informant la fianc\u00e9 de Hugh que ce dernier a disparu dans la nuit du 16 septembre 1944.","alt":"T\u00e9l\u00e9gramme provenant du Bomber Command H.Q informant la fianc\u00e9 de Hugh que ce dernier a disparu dans la nuit du 16 septembre 1944.","caption":"
Message standard.
Les parents de Hugh, au Canada, ont re\u00e7u un message similaire.
Une chose parmi d'autres pour la fianc\u00e9e de Hugh est qu'elle a d\u00fb annuler toutes les d\u00e9marches concernant le mariage et retourner tous les cadeaux de mariage, etc.
La deuxi\u00e8me tentative de mariage le 9 d\u00e9cembre 1944 est arriv\u00e9e dans les temps.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"fr","credit":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"}]}">
The \"large\" medals\/awards are for military parad functions.
1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Canada Defence Medal; Canada Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal; Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal; Canada Centennial Medal; Canada Long Service Medal.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","conversion_urls":{"original":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/493_resize.jpg"},"url":"https:\/\/d3d0lqu00lnqvz.cloudfront.net\/mpsb\/vimy\/HughBartley\/493_resize.jpg","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","pivot":{"mediable_id":"a4cb627a-fd1e-4f91-9dae-a7fdd00f5255","media_id":"e5d7be6e-850f-4c25-a676-b892b05b9118","mediable_type":"App\\Models\\Article","tag":"gallery","order":5},"translations":[{"id":"927218a6-8945-4018-98c2-c7cbe1205c8b","media_id":"e5d7be6e-850f-4c25-a676-b892b05b9118","title":"Set (court mounted) medals\/awards.","alt":"Set (court mounted) medals\/awards.","caption":"
The miniatures are worn at evening format functions as a general rule. The first five are \"war time\" service medals.
The \"large\" medals\/awards are for military parad functions.
1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Canada Defence Medal; Canada Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal; Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal; Canada Centennial Medal; Canada Long Service Medal.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"en","credit":"
Courtesy of the Memory Project\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"},{"id":"89b3c004-b501-40b3-a495-3beb0c12a2dd","media_id":"e5d7be6e-850f-4c25-a676-b892b05b9118","title":"Ensemble de m\u00e9dailles\/r\u00e9compenses.","alt":"Ensemble de m\u00e9dailles\/r\u00e9compenses.","caption":"
En r\u00e8gle g\u00e9n\u00e9rale, les m\u00e9dailles les plus petites sont port\u00e9es pendant le soir. Les cinq premi\u00e8res m\u00e9dailles sont les m\u00e9dailles de service port\u00e9es en \"temps de guerre\".
Les m\u00e9dailles les plus grandes correspondent aux parades militaires.
1939-45 Star; France & Germany Star; M\u00e9daille de la D\u00e9fense, M\u00e9daille du Service des Volontaires Canadiens; M\u00e9daille de guerre; M\u00e9daille du Couronnement de la Reine Elizabeth; M\u00e9daille du Centenaire du Canada; M\u00e9daille pour Longs Services Canadiens.
<\/p>","creator":"","source":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>","locale":"fr","credit":"
Avec la permission du Projet M\u00e9moire\/Hugh Bartley
<\/p>"}]}">
Transcript
Hugh Bartley, RCAF retired, and I retired as a Colonel.
There are two things that I remember quite well—one of course was my marriage! I married a war bride, my Barbara, who has been married to me for 64 years. And this was a second attempt marriage. The first time I went missing. Barbara had to send back all the wedding gifts and so forth and announcement, and then I turned up.
We flew in the Mosquitoes, we flew above the heavy flak, that’s to say, the heavy ground defences. Um, pretty well above it. We could go up as high as 30,000 [ft] if necessary. And also, we were very fast, we didn’t have any guns. Nothing. Just relied on speed. And at that time, the only thing the Germans had that could catch us, would be the odd rocket fighter, which they had around about. But um, they couldn’t catch us at night anyway. So, our biggest worry was weather, in what we were doing.
We crashed in Belgium on the night of the 16th, anyway, went down because of weather. We went into a thunderstorm at the top, the weather inside there was violent. Our aircraft was a fine airplane but it was made of wood and it came apart. This was at night, at 25,000 feet. Mainly you’re so busy you don’t have time to get scared. You’re trying to get out of whatever kind of a problem you got into, and in this case the airplane made it simple for us. My navigator, unfortunately, got killed.
So then we came back, and I was in this convalescent hospital and I had got in touch with my, got in touch with my Barbara before then, and we rescheduled the marriage for the 10th of December, in Hull in England. And uh, we went through our marriage. The thing I remember in particular about our marriage was coming up the aisle, and I had a cane, and not very much hair, and a few cuts and bruises, and a limp, and my best man had his head swathed in bandages, and a cane and he limped. So, it was what you might say a real wartime wedding.
Sometimes people feel, well, you know, going and bombing all those places in Germany and such, was it really worthwhile, you know? What were we bombing anyways? Why were we bombing cities, you know? If you’re going to fight an all out war, you can’t be too…what’s the word…too discrete. And besides which, if you’re going to a place like the German Ruhr, which was heavily industrialized, whether you kill the workers, or the plant, where do you cut it off, you know? Where do you say, well we won’t go and bomb that plant because there’s a bunch of workers in it, you know? And besides which, we took the view, in many cases, and certainly the British population did, that as you sow, so shall you reap. And we had all been to London and places like that where the East End was all smashed to smithereens. So we didn’t have too damn much sympathy. And the Germans bombed Rotterdam and all those places, and without any compunction.
