Charles Bartlett

Charles Philip Oldfield Bartlett, (3 January 1889 – February 1987) was a British flying ace of the First World War, credited with eight aerial victories in the course of flying bombing sorties against the Germans. He remained in service after the war, even though he struggled with health issues that threatened his forced resignation. He would serve until 1932, rising to the rank of squadron leader.

Personal life Charles Philip Oldfield Bartlett was born on 3 January 1889 in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England. His father was Rector of Willersley.

After his experiences in the First World War, Bartlett recorded his wartime experiences in the books Bomber Pilot, 1916–1918 and In the Teeth of the Wind: The Story of a Naval Pilot on the Western Front, 1916–1918. In his later years, he lived at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. He died there in March 1986.

First World War Bartlett began military service in the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War. He first came to notice on 3 April 1916 when he was confirmed as a probationary flight sub-lieutenant for temporary service. He was certified as a pilot on 21 June 1916, being granted Royal Aero Club Certificate 3118.

Bartlett would not score again until 30 January 1918. In the latter part of March, Bartlett and his observer/gunner Walter Naylor would reel off a string of six more victories in the course of carrying out their bombing missions against the Germans. The string of triumphs was notable enough for specific mention in the award of a Bar to his DSC. An account of the actions, as gazetted on 17 May 1918, credited him with causing the midair collision of two of his opponents:

Bartlett had flown 101 bombing sorties by April 1918, when he went into hospital. He would emerge from hospital in September 1918.

However, this revocation of his commission must have been rescinded, because on 24 February 1922, he was restored to full pay from half pay. Later that year, on 27 December, he was once again invalided from the RAF with the honorary rank of Major. A few days later, on 1 January 1923, his discharge for ill health was once again cancelled. Subsequently, he served six years as an Adjutant at RAF Manston's School of Technical Training.

Bartlett was then hired as a civilian adjutant at Ruislip. In 1936, he became the bursar at Bryanston School. He would later have the same job at Saint Dunstan's Training Center for the Blind, staying until 1945.

List of aerial victories No.Date/timeAircraftFoeResultLocationNotes 1 2 July 1917 @ 1230 hours Airco DH.4 serial number N5967 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Zeebrugge Observer/gunner: S. D. Sambrook 2 30 January 1918 @ 1330 hours Airco DH.4 s/n N6001 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Engel Airfield Observer/gunner: Walter Naylor 3 18 March 1918 @ 1102 hours Airco DH.4 s/n N5961 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Beaurevoir Observer/gunner: Walter Naylor 4 21 March 1918 @ 1804 hours Airco DH.4 s/n N6000 Fokker Dr.I Triplane Driven down out of control Honnecourt-sur-Escaut Observer/gunner: Walter Naylor 5 27 March 1918 @ 1045 hours Airco DH.4 s/n N6000 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Fontaine Observer/gunner: Walter Naylor 6 28 March 1918 about 1000 hours Airco DH.4 s/n N6000 Fokker Dr.I Triplane Destroyed Raincourt Observer/gunner: Walter Naylor 7 28 March 1918 about 1000 hours Airco DH.4 s/n N6000 Fokker Dr.I Triplane Destroyed Raincourt Observer/gunner: Walter Naylor 8 28 March 1918 about 1000 hours Airco DH.4 s/n N6000 Fokker Dr.I Triplane Destroyed Raincourt Observer/gunner: Walter Naylor