Flight Sergeant Leo HARTMAN, 196 Sqn RAF

I am researching F/Sgt Leo Hartman who lived at 80 Hindle House Arcola Street Hackney London for my project.
I believe Leo was still alive last year and living in North London, I would like to talk to him about his life and obtain a photograph.
The information I have is:
Leo and his crew were involved in Operation Market Garden delivering troops and supplies. On 21st Sept 1944 his Stirling was shot down by FW190 fighters. Mark Azouz the pilot gave the order to bale out of the plane, the Gunner Peter Harold Bode was killed. As they opened their parachutes they were shot at by the fighters, Azouz was killed. The rest of the crew Jim McGuiggan (Mac), Herbert Turner, John Greenwell (Ginger), Leo and 2 RAASC dispatchers survived, landing in Wijchen behind enemy lines where they hid until they were safely evacuated to allied lines and returned home.
In 2007 two students made a short film about Leo, I have been unable to contact them.
I have read Bert Turner's stories on the Stoke Sentinel and the BBC Peoples War.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

F/Sgt Hartman's Escape and Evasion report is available at the National Archives under reference WO 208/3350/1367. There is a photo of the crew of LJ 810 (Hartman's aircraft) on page 169 of the book "The Royal Air Force at Arnhem"

 

Have you tried contacting AJEX? They may have further details, as both he and Azouz are mentioned here: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/ww2/Arnhem.html
1601174 W/0 Leo Hartman, with the same address details you have...

 

Thanks for the replies.
horsapassenger I will look at the report on my next visit to the National Archives. Is this the same photo (attached) as the one in the book? If so does it say who is who?
KevinBattle I have sent a message to AJEX to see if they can help, thanks for the service no. I didn't have that.

 

Crew list for Stirling LJ810 of 196 Squadron lost 21 September 1944

F/O. M. Azouz. DFC +
F/S. P H. Bode +
F/S. G D. Greenwell. Evaded. Awarded the DFM
F/S. L. Hartman. Evaded. Wounded
F/S. J. McCuiggan. Evaded
Sgt. H A. Turner. Evaded
L/Cpl. Day. Evaded. Awarded MM
Driver. A E. Norton. Evaded.

 

Natalie - no the photo in the book is a close up of the crew all of whom are identified. You should be able to obtain a copy of the book through your local library

 

Peter thank you it's good to know the names of the RAASC dispatchers. Mark Azouz DFC medal and photo is in the Jewish Military Museum. The Military museum is merging with the Jewish Museum in Camden, I will have a look in there soon.

horsapassenger I tried to get it yesterday with no luck, I will ask if they can obtain it on an inter-lending.

Leo Hartman short film here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PveVD_sYs0

 

This is Leo Hartman's Chaplain Card.
What I would like to know is if the address '80 Hindle House Arcola Street E8' is his address or that of his Brother Leslie?
Maybe someone who is familiar with these cards can let me know?
Thanks

 

Natalie, just sent you a private message. Looks like Leo has moved according to the electoral Rolls. Cheers Maria

 

We have it confirmed from Leo that it was in fact his brother that lived at Hindle House so the source where we got that information is incorrect. KevinBattle it is the same source you mention.
Such a great story, it was a pleasure to research even it we cannot include it in our project.

 

Well, it's your Project so you decide who appears and who doesn't but I would have thought it acceptable to include Leo as Hindle House was his brothers home, and he possibly would have stayed there on leave... but as i say, it's your decision.

I see you include Fireman Leveson, which CWGC record as LeveNson. However he didn't die at Hindle House and similarly another fireman did but he doesn't seem to be on your plaque

WHITTAKER, JOHN. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 07/09/1940. Age: 26.
Reporting Authority: POPLAR, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Information: (otherwise DILWORTH); Fireman, A.F.S.; of 107 Hindle House, Arcola Street, Hackney.
Husband of Hilda Dilworth. Died at Woodstock Road.
(Sorry, I don't know the story about how he's the husband of Mrs Dilworth, perhaps yet another story to unfold?)

You also have a C Appleby, presumably this is Edith's son?


APPLEBY, CHRISTOPHER. Rank: Able Seaman. Service No: D/JX 199890. Date of Death: 07/02/1941. Age: 22.
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy R.F.A. Bay Fisher.
Panel Reference: Panel 46, Column 2. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
(If Christophers father had died before the Blitz, then there may not have been anyone to complete his Family Verification Form, thus no Additional Information).


APPLEBY, EDITH. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 18/09/1940. Age: 68.
Reporting Authority: HACKNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Information: of 121 Hindle House, Arcola Street. Wife of C. Appleby. Died at 121 Hindle House.

BURDON, FREDERICK GEORGE. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 18/09/1940. Age: 62.
Reporting Authority: HACKNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Information: of 171 Powell House, Lower Clapton. Husband of the late Rebecca Burdon. Died at Hindle House, Arcola Street.

GUNN, NORA. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death:18/09/1940. Age: 56.
Reporting Authority: HACKNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Informationf 119 Hindle House, Arcola Street. Wife of Stephen Gunn. Died at Hindle House.

GUNN, STEPHEN. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death:18/09/1940. Age: 56.
Reporting Authority: HACKNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Information: of 119 Hindle House, Arcola Street. Husband of Nora Gunn. Died at Hindle House.

WRIGGLEWORTH, FREDERICK. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death:18/09/1940. Age: 3.
Reporting Authority: HACKNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Information: of 135 Hindle House, Arcola Street. Son of Frederick Charles and Rose Wriggleworth. Died at 135 Hindle House.

WRIGGLEWORTH, FREDERICK CHARLES. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death:18/09/1940. Age: 32.
Reporting Authority: HACKNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Information: of 135 Hindle House, Arcola Street. Husband of Rose Wriggleworth. Died at 135 Hindle House.

WRIGGLEWORTH, ROSE. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death:18/09/1940. Age: 32
Reporting Authority: HACKNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Information: of 135 Hindle House, Arcola Street Daughter of Frederick George Burdon, of 171 Powell House, Lower Clapton; wife of Frederick Charles Wriggleworth. Died at 135 Hindle House.

LEVENSON, ALBERT. Rank: Civilian. Date of Death: 05/11/1941. Age: 37.
Reporting Authority: STEPNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
Additional Information: Fireman, N.F.S. Husband of Rebecca Levenson, of 88 Hindle House, Arcola Street, Dalston. Injured 20 October 1942, at Globe Road; died at Mile End Hospital. (NOTE: CWGC have the year wrong, it should obviously be 1941!)

This is the only CWGC match for your Private A Nucky

NUCKEY, ARTHUR ALBERT. Rank: Fusilier. Service No:13064178. Date of Death:18/12/1944. Age: 32.
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 8th Bn.
Grave Reference: III, A, 9. Cemetery: FORLI WAR CEMETERY.
Additional Information: Son of John York Nuckey and Clara Lydia Nuckey.

Ah! Read through your facebook information so you know of Whittaker/Dilworth and the correct? spelling for Nucky.
Also a bit eerie that the place where Fireman Whittaker-Dilworth and 14 others died is now the site of poplar Fire Station!

Well done for all your blood, seat and tears

 

KevinBattle we are sure a few more stories will unfold as we continue to research these people and seek out their relatives.
There are incorrect spellings of names on the plaque, but when we had the plaque restored the WMT would not allow any corrections for historical reasons.
If you get the chance to visit Poplar Fire Station they have a lot of info on the bombing with photos mounted on the wall in their entrance lobby; they will let you in to see them.

 

Thanks - oops - blood, SWeat and tears!