The RAF Yacht Club's history and legacy is a large part of the reason why many people join.  I thought it might be appropriate to profile some of our members, perhaps as part of a series on the web site, who have been crucial to the building of that legacy.  Few people epitomise our heritage more than long-standing member, Les Bartlett, and I think Les's significant part in the Second World War would be a good start.

 Les was a bomb aimer during World War 2.  But not just any bomb aimer; Les was part of Sir Michael Beetham's crew, flying Lancasters over Germany.  Sir Michael is the most senior of only 4 ‘Marshals of the RAF' (a 5-star position discontinued in 1994).  In partnership with Wg Cdr Pete Jacobs, who wrote a preamble to Les's own wartime diary, a book, ‘Bomb Aimer Over Berlin', was published. Here is the official synopsis given on the Amazon website:

 "Les Bartlett has become one of the great characters of World War II history. He flew as bomb aimer with the then Flying Officer Michael Beetham, who later became Marshal of the Royal Air Force. At that time, he was a sergeant but gained his commission in April 1944 and flew his tour, including 27 raids over Germany (including ten raids over Berlin) and France between November 1943 and May 1944. On his second operation his aircraft was attacked by a Ju 88, leaving it with no flaps or brakes - a crash landing at Wittering ensued. At the end of his third mission, they found the whole of Lincolnshire fogbound and eventually landed at RAF Melbourne in Yorkshire just before that airfield was closed also because of the fog. His aircraft was hit in the wing by a 30lb incendiary bomb dropped by another Lancaster flying above them on his sixth operation - but they survived. On his twelfth operation to Leipzig, he used the nose guns to destroy a Ju 88 night fighter, for which he was awarded the DFM. In February 1944, the port outer engine caught fire and the crew baled out."

Les went into the pharmaceutical business after the war and has been a fully involved member of the RAFYC since the early 60s.  Despite being over 90, he could be seen regularly on the dance floor at many of our functions until the early part of this year.  Sadly, Les has recently suffered a stroke and is now in a home where he receives full-time care; however, he is receiving visitors and would enjoy chatting to a Club member.  Just contact the office and they will put you in touch with Les's daughter Christine, who will give you details on how to visit.  

  Steve Jarmain