Flying Officer Alfred Martin, Aircrew - 102 Squadron's Handley Page Halifax 
Alfred 'Paddy' Martin was born on March 26th 1920 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Educated at the Friends School to the University level, he started work as an apprentice in the insurance industry in 1936 as a junior clerk. In 1938 he joined the Territorial Army after his mother refused to allow him to join the RAFVR (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve).
Alfred: I was called up in August 1939 and spent 20 months on coastal searchlights
Though not the exact units Alfred worked with these are examples found on the net of the equipment used. The Sperry generator unit weighs 1.75 tonnes, runs on standard petrol. The can in front of the rear wheel was packed in the USA in 1941 - the year the searchlight was manufactured. It contains 25 positive and 25 negative carbon rods - the source of light in searchlights of this era. Packed up and ready for travelling. The light is locked in position by the rod in the foreground and a catch on the turntable. When operating, the turntable is powered from the same source as the light and a handle is used for vertical movement. During WWII controls, linked to Anti-aircraft guns, were from a control unit placed at a distance from the searchlight unit. Intentionally or not, this served to protect operators when aircraft were shooting at the lights.
Alfred was also a sapper with the Royal Engineers for a brief period. Volunteering for the RAF in April of 1941, initial training was at Stratford on Avon and Scaroborough. Then it was overseas to Canada with a 16 day stop over in Ireland. I learned navigation at Prince Edward island, trained at Charlottetown and Picton as an observer. Picton Ontario also had gunnery and bombing training. In February 1942 Alfred recieves his wings at the graduation parade and is now a Flying Officer. I returned to the UK on a 6 knot Atlantic convoy for AFU and assignment to OTU with further advanced training near Abington. Did my first two ops on Whitleys 
from an OTU unit that participated in the 1000 plane raids. After an air crash at the OTU and with my pilot (Ed Hinchcliffe) being injured, the crew was broken up. I was posted to 102 Squadron at Pocklington on the Halifax, where I flew operations with various crews for six months starting in September 1942. It was on my 12th operation on the 16th of April 1943 to Pilsen Czechoslovakia that we were hit by a ME-110 night fighter on the return leg home.
The rear gunner was killed and the engines were on fire when we were ordered to bail out at 3:45 hours in the bright moonlight along with Sgt Laws the Wireless Operator.
What follows is the story that is also an exhibit at the Eden Camp Museum at Malton Yorkshire England
I was relieved to see my parachute canopy and landed in a ploughed field, hid my parachute in a ditch and walked away from the burning aircraft as fast as I could without any contact with the rest of the crew. (Alfred was probably the crewman observed landing about a mile away by Wally Lashbrook as he ironically hit the ground first being the last to bail out at low altitude) By the time sunrise came around Alfred had put 10 kilometeres between himself and the crash site. No one to his knowledge was chasing him yet, and the fields he was traversing were the same as in his native Ulster. As an Ulsterman he considered he had the Luck of the Irish and began to plan his evasion with more confidence.
Now out of the immediate crash area, it being daybreak he decided to find a place to hide and get some sleep. Deciding to travel only at night and sleep during the day he settled well out of sight behind some thick bushes that gave good views of the surrounding area in all directions. Woken at mid day by the sound of a cow coming up the lane, he saw a young boy. Moving to a better position, Alfred was spotted by the boy who on seeing the RAF battledress uniform, stopped and saluted. He then began asking questions, which Alfred answered in bad French and with gestures. The boys name was Andre Leleu, from Sivry, Belgium. Leaving Alfred in hiding, Andre left, but during the day many of his relatives arrived. An old lady kissed him on both cheeks and brought some bread. A civilian coat was brought, and information was given about the nearby town and area in general. No one knew of any escape organizations and they appreared to be poor farming people who were probably being forced to give much of their production to the Germans. Alfred decided not to compromise them further, and when it became dusk again set off. Several farm houses were approached, but many o fthem had dogs and Alfeed decided to leave these alone. Shelter was found in old farm buildings, but because of the cold and is wet feet and clothing he decided to keep on the move to stay warm. By morning, tired and miserable, a sheltered area was found behind some hedges and Alfred decided to lay down and try to dry out. Deciding to afternoon, a number of people were approached for help, but they all appeared very afraid. Others held a conversation but offered no help.
Towards evening, and now very tired, Alfred risked walking on the road to make faster time vs walking in the woods and hedgerows. Turning a corner, not far away were two Gendarmes (French police) talking to a woman. They all looke in his direction, but he continued to walk hoping to pass them by without comment. (even with his civilian coat the pants and shoes would have given him away) Once level with the group the Gendarmes asked him for an ID card. Alfred fumbled around in his pockets and acted dumb, while at the same time pointing to his mouth as to indicate that he could not speak. many questions were asked but Alfred continued to point to his mouth and shake his head. Now making signals themselves, the Gendarmes indicated that he should go with them. Walking down the road Alfred had just decided to make a run for it, when one of the Gendarmes turned and asked "Anglais?" (English?) Alfred said "Oui" and the two Gendarmes talked amoung them selves for a few minutes. One of them turned to Alfred and said "Allez Vite", (Go Quickly) and within a few seconds Alfred was across the fields and into the woods.
It was now getting late and while searching for a place to sleep he spotted a cottage near a rail line. Noticing a young lady in the doorway, the cottage was approached. Very afraid at first when spoken to, she eventually became friendlier and invited the stranger in. The lady was Mme. Fernand who was alone. She suggested a farm house where help could be found, and took Alfred to the Coolen family, in Sains du Nord. On arrival they were greeted by the man of the house, while the rest of the family remained in the kitchen. Introduced, after much conversation and questions, Alferd was given supper and a bed for the night. he was told that they might be able to make contactwith an organization that could help in a few days, but the days turned out to be weeks. It was not an unpleasant stay, but being very worried about being found there and the consequences that the family faced if they were found out, Alfred decided that he could compromise them no longer. Listening to the BBC programme despite the German attempts at jamming was a regular event. The excitement was even better when "Workers Playtime" was broadcast from Belfast.
Things began to happen more quickly now. A new jacket was provided, and the Airforce Blue trousers were dyed black. An English teacher arrived and asked questions and another lady arrived and dyed Alfreds ginger hair balck. A Mm. Rosine Witton (see photo below) and a M. Duclos collected Alfred from the farmhouse. The day after his departure the farm was searched by the police. Now in the hands of the COMET line and constantly moved by a courier, first to Lille by train and then on to a safe house in Arras (see photo) where he was joined by an American named Doug Hoehn who had been shot down in a B-17. After two days the evaders were moved to Paris for a week, and stayed with M. Hannow and Mm. Feure. From their safe housethe Eiffle Tower could be seen. 
The couple providing the safe house were also members of the Resistance, with M. Hannow being expert in train wrecking. Both Alfred and Doug were taken to the Paris train station where to his surprise standing on the platform was non other that his pilot Wally Lashbrook (see UK page) Desperate not to compromise eachother they did not speak until the following day. The train was crowded and the trip to Bordeaux was long and slow. Arriving in Bordeaux, a new guide took over Jean_Francois Northomb, known as Franco. Waiting for a local train, it was decided to have lunch in a nearby boulevard cafe. The local train was crowded, and three hours later the group arrived at the city of Dax 
Bicycles were now provided at the station and riding in pairs they set off at a fast paceallong narrow roads and cart paths. After 40 miles the group arrived Bayonne only too pleased to get off of the bicycles. Taken on foot to a safe house, which was a cafe, the geroup was introduced to Elvire de Greef, known as "Tante Go" (Auntie Go). Elvire was the main organizer in the Western Pyrennes. The next day after a late start the group collected their bicycles again and in pairs 200 yards apart headed towards the lower Pyrennes, passing thorugh barritz, before reaching their destination of St. jean De Luz. During the evening Alfred and Wally went for a walk in the town and were watching a fisherman, when a German soldier stopped and starting talking about fishing. After a few minutes he wandered off. Fortunately his French was very bad and Wally and Alfred got by on small short responses.
At 22:30 (10:30 pm) the men wer eintroduced to Florentino, Comets basque guide. Shoes were now changed for espadrilles, and trousers for baggy pyjama type trousers. In total darkness the group led by Florintino set off through the fields and lanes. The night became bright and starry and a mountain began to loom in front of the group. Scrambling over heather and rocks, which disturbed the sheep and made their bells tinkle, the group continues at a fast pace for three hours. Reaching 2000 feet they then descend into the valley of the River Bidassoa to about 500 feet. The river marked the border between France and Spain ant at times could be very dangerous, being very fast flowing and deep, not to mention the border police on both sides. The group entered the water with Florintino leading. Holding hands for support they crossed in waist deep water. Once on the Spanish side it was straight up another mountain 2000 ft on a steep incline. The group made it often on their hands and knees aided by Florentino. It was now about 3:00 Am on June 5th 1943. At 7:30 am the group arrived at a farm house used by Florentino, and the safe-house keeper provided breakfast and a welcome rest. Late in the afternoon the men started the walk to the village of Irun, here they boarded a local train to San Sebastian. There, they were taken to an apartment and were not allowed out for four days. (the risk of being turned over to the police and being returned to the French border was very real, at the very least they could be interned by the Spanish authorities forthe remainder of the war)
On the eveining of the fourth day they were again collected by their guide and after walking a short distance a car pulled up alongside and an English voice invited Alfred Wally and Doug to got in. The next morning they arrived at the British Embassy in Madrid. After a few days while papers were created were moved by train to Gilbralter the British base on the Mediterranean.
Three days later they returned home on a Dakota on June 20th. After interrogation in London Alfred got leave to visit the squadron and then leave for home. On the way he stopped to thank their WAAF parachute packers. 
Awarded the DFC 
Returning to Training Command, I took a staff navigators course at Port Albert Ontario Canada. There for one year, then to Portage la Prairie to continue in the raining of navigators. In December of 1945 I returned to the UK to be demobilized with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Says Alfred I was not a career soldier like Wally, I was a soldier for the "Hostility years" Six years and three months were quite enough.
Note: England had been at war since 1939, while the USA did not get into full swing untill 1942 after the December 7th 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
In February of 1947 Alfred emigrated to Canada and went back into the insurance business in Toranto, Montreal and later back to London where he married Barbara Murdoch in 1953. He and Barbara had met 10 years before at a dance in Belfast. She was in the WRNS. They have enjoyed a long marrige and had two daughters, Sheila who lives in the USA and Julie. In 1968 he left the insurance business in Toranto and returned to Ireland spending the next 20 years in Belfast. I asked his daughter Sheila, now residing in the US about growing up in Northern Ireland, as what I always saw on the news was the violence and soldiers in the streets Sheila: The "troubles" were certainly there but they were just a part of life. I cannot say we were unaffected but when I think about growing up in Northern Ireland I really do not think about the troubles. My parents were more affected than my sister or I were because of the location of my father's business.
I know that Americans view Northern Ireland as a battle ground. A good comparison would be that the US is considered a gun-slinging wild west; (to Europeans) a very dangerous place with a very high murder rate.
Authors Note: It's not hard to understand why a European or Asian would think this way when even the local news in our small towns has at least one to two gun related crimes every night as lead stories.
My father's business was in Belfast. This
area saw more than its fair share of the troubles. The business was a
wholesaler of hardware, kitchenware, fancy goods and toys. His customers
were smaller private shopkeepers from all over Northern Ireland.
Eventually Alfred retired to golf and other pursuits.
Alfred is also the founding chairman of the Royal Airforces Escaping Society RAFES (Canadian Branch) and continues communication with his helpers in France on the Comet line. In retirement now and approching his 80th birthday he and his wife are vacationing in southern Spain as of this writing.
Mme. Rosine Witton , UASF 8th Bomber crewman Doug Hoehn and Alfred. Photo taken while they were evading the Germans in Arras. They are at the rear of the Secours Nationale, 16 Rue De Baupaume in the city of Arras in May 1943. Mme. Witton was eventually arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Ravensbrook concentration camp for two years. She survived to be awared the George Cross, Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre. She passed away in 1995 and her medals have been donated to the Imperial War Museum in London. A very courageous woman she helped save 35 airmen from capture.
Links Halifax 57 Rescue page.
Handley Page Halifax.
Halifax Page Very good references and photos
Halifax Site with some of the technical history
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