Flight W3998 – The Mount Batten Tragedy - John Humphrey Martin

Flight W3998 – The Mount Batten Tragedy

21^st December 1941

The Flight

Short Sunderland Mark II

On a cold winter night, 21^st December 1941, the crew of Flight W3998, a Short Sunderland Mark II, prepared their aircraft for take-off from RAF Mount Batten Seaplane Station on Plymouth Sound, Devon.

The Second World War was at its height, and Mount Batten served as home to No. 201 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Coastal Command. From these sheltered waters, the mighty Sunderland “flying boats” patrolled the Atlantic, hunting German U-boats that threatened Allied convoys.

These great aircraft were both elegant and formidable — yet flying them was never without danger. Taking off and landing on water demanded skill and nerve, especially at night, when the surface of the Sound reflected only the faint glow of signal flares.

Design and Development

The Short Sunderland Mark II was a British long-range patrol flying boat, built by Short Brothers to defend Allied shipping against enemy submarines. Introduced in 1941, it featured four powerful Bristol Pegasus XVIII engines and improved gun turrets over earlier models. Designed for endurance and strength, the Sunderland could remain airborne for up to 14 hours, carrying depth charges or bombs for anti-submarine warfare. Its heavy armament earned it the nickname “the Flying Porcupine.” Only around 43 Mark II aircraft were produced before being replaced by the improved Mark III.

The Crash

That evening, Flight Lieutenant David Fletcher, the pilot of W3998, guided his crew of fifteen down the flare-lit take-off path. The engines roared to life, churning spray into the darkness as the Sunderland gathered speed. But something was wrong. The aircraft failed to lift clear of the water. Fearing he might strike the semi-submerged breakwater, Fletcher aborted and taxied back for a second attempt.

Moments later, the aircraft made another run and cleared the breakwater — but then tragedy struck. The engines stalled, and the huge flying boat crashed into the Sound, bursting into flames as it hit the water.

The Crew

The men of W3998 had been bound for Gibraltar, looking forward to Christmas leave before taking up new duties training Sunderland crews overseas. They had enjoyed two days’ rest at Mount Batten, and their aircraft carried extra equipment and personnel — fifteen men in all, around eight more than the standard crew.

Of those on board, eleven men were killed, including the pilot, Flight Lieutenant David Fletcher, and Corporal John Humphrey Martin. Only four survived.

Below is the full known record of those who served aboard Short Sunderland Mk II W3998 that night.

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Crew of Short Sunderland Mk II W3998

No. 201 Squadron RAF – Lost 21^st December 1941, Mount Batten, Plymouth Sound

Rank	Name	Fate	Burial / Commemoration
F/Lt	David James Fletcher	Died	Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth (Devon)
Cpl	John Humphrey Martin	Died	St Teilo Churchyard, Bishopston (Swansea)
F/Sgt	Herbert Frederick Mitchell	Died	St Mary Magdalene Churchyard, Great Burstead (Essex)
LAC	John Burnett Hides	Died	Runnymede Memorial (Panel 56)
LAC	James Wallace Douglas	Died	Runnymede Memorial (Panel 56)
AC1	Kenneth William Bennett	Died	Runnymede Memorial (probable)
AC1	Robert Cunningham	Died	Runnymede Memorial (probable)
AC2	James Robinson	Died	Runnymede Memorial (probable)
Sgt	Herbert Leslie Southall	Died	Runnymede Memorial (Panel 52)
LAC	John Hay Wallace	Died	Runnymede Memorial (probable)
AC2	William Watson	Died	Runnymede Memorial (probable)
P/O	W. W. Ince	Survived	—
Sgt	G. F. H. Booth	Survived	—
Sgt	H. S. Lodge	Survived	—
Sgt	A. Penny	Survived	—

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Remembering Corporal John Humphrey Martin

John Humphrey Martin
St. Teilo's church

Corporal John Humphrey Martin, aged 22, was the son of Frederick William and Hilda Martin, of Murton, Bishopston. He was brought home to be buried in the churchyard of St Teilo’s Church, Bishopston — a peaceful resting place overlooking the land and sea he knew as home.

St Teilo’s Church

St. Teilo's church

The ancient tower of St Teilo’s Church stands as a witness to centuries of Gower history. Described as simple in design, it dates from the 12^th or 13^th century, in either English or Norman style. In earlier times, it served as a refuge from raiders arriving by sea.

St. Teilo's church

The church’s roof was thatched until 1831, when it was replaced with tiles. In 1886, the clock was purchased from the Old Brewery on Singleton Street, Swansea.
The brewery, which operated during the 19th century using water from the nearby Singleton Well, was once a major local employer and supplier of ale across Swansea. When the brewery buildings were sold, the church acquired its clock from the site — a small but lasting link between Bishopston’s parish church and Swansea’s industrial heritage.