No. 41 Squadron

Youthful Calgary Pilot Taking Flight Training In Famous 41st Squadron

Pilot-Officer Martyn With Capt. McCall's Former Air Unit

HERE ON LEAVE

Pictures and combat reports of Captain Fred McCall, outstanding Calgary war-time pilot, still decorate the walls of the 31st Fighting Squadron of the Royal Air Force in England, according to Pilot-Officer William Martyn, who returned to Calgary on 46 days' leave of absence.

Mr. Martyn, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Martyn of 1608 Thirteenth avenue west, returned to the city last week, the first time he has been back in his home town since joining the R.A.F. in October, 1936.

The aviator stated the pictures and press reports of Captain McCall's outstanding fighting ability were held up as an example to the younger members of the force. Pilot-Officer Martyn is now training with Capt. McCall's squadron.

The Calgary aviator stated that other Canadians were doing remarkably well in the Air Force. Although there are only three other Canadians, Pilot-Officer Barton, Penticton, B.C.; Pilot - Officer Blatchford, Edmonton; Pilot-Officer Overall, Niagara Falls, in the 41st Squadron, many other Canadians are making a name for themselves in England, he stated.

Took Course in Calgary

Although many other Calgarians obtained licenses in the city before going over to join the R.A.F., Mr. Martyn did not receive any actual flying experience until he reached England. All he took was a year's course in aviation at the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art.

Before leaving Calgary in August, 1936, Mr. Martyn was assured of an interview with the British air ministry. After being granted the interview, he was sent to the Reading Civil Flying training school for two months before being turned over to the 41st Fighting Squadron.

He first received his training in a Fury single-seater interceptor fighter. Since then, however, the 41st Squadron has been equipped with a Fury 11, which has a more powerful engine and is faster and easier to handle.

Pilot-Officer Martyn said there are 100 men in his battalion, 12 of whom are officers and six are sergeant-pilots. The remainder are signallers, riggers and mechanics. Almost half of the men in the Royal Air Force are from British colonies.

Although he arrived home only last Wednesday, Mr. Martyn will have to leave January 30, in order to be back in England before his leave expires.

The first two paragraphs are the printed sub-headlines (deck) under the main headline, and 'Took Course in Calgary' is a printed cross-head; they are kept in place as paragraphs. The paper prints '31st Fighting Squadron' in the first paragraph and '41st' elsewhere (kept as printed). An unrelated short item about Callis Court hotel, Broadstairs, in the left column and a Craven Plain cigarette advertisement were left out.