Sqn Ldr C P Martindale

[smudgersmith218]

Gents,

Daily Telegraph yesterday announced the death of Sqn Ldr Chris Martindale ex-218 aged 97.

I had the pleasure of corresponding with Chris over the past few years and his lovely wife. He was a wonderfully funny man with a keen since of humour and a great knowledge of all aspects of the RAF. He attended the reunions regularly driving himself when he was in his late eighties .

Chris Martindale arrived on the squadron via No.1653 Heavy Conversion Unit in March 1945. Christopher Martindale was born in December 1914 and attended Dover College. Between 1935 and 1937 he was a member of the University of London Air Squadron based at RAF Northolt, before he joined No.500 (County of Kent) Squadron in 1937 flying both the Hawker Hart and Hawker Hind and the twin engine Avro Anson. He was posted in January 1939 to No.12 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School at Prestwick.
Squadron Leader Christopher Martindale was posted to onto the squadron to assume command of “A” Flight on the departure of Squadron Leader John O’Brien. He like his predecessor had accumulated a massive amount of flying experience having spent the previous five years flying with various training schools in the UK, in that time he instructed Polish & French escapees at RAF Upavon. Between April 1942 and April 1944 he had served with No.26 E.F.T.S based at Guinea Fowl, Rhodesia.

My sincere condolences to his wife and family.

God bless you Chris

[K4KittyCrew]

Thanks Steve, I trust you enjoyed many a good chat with this marvellous gentleman.
John