Tony Bartley

Anthony Charles Bartley, (28 March 1919 – 18 April 2001) was a British film and television executive, and fighter pilot. As a Royal Air Force (RAF) Spitfire pilot, Bartley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the Battle of Britain, during which he became a fighter ace.

Early life Bartley was born in Dacca, India, on 28 March 1919, the son of an Irish barrister, Sir Charles Bartley, a Calcutta High Court judge. this rank was made permanent, albeit on probation, on 21 October 1939. He flew with No. 92 Squadron through the Battle of France, seeing action over Dunkirk and during the Battle of Britain and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in October 1940, by which time he had been credited with shooting down "at least eight enemy aircraft".

After serving in No. 74 Squadron in early 1941, Bartley became an instructor at several operational training units before transferring to Vickers Supermarine as a test pilot at in July 1941. In early 1942, he returned to operational flying, being posted No. 65 Squadron as a flight commander but took command of the squadron in May 1942. In August 1942, he took command of No. 111 Squadron, and led them during Operation Torch, in North Africa, until January 1943. For his service in North Africa, he received a bar to his DFC in February 1943.

Film industry Following his demobilisation in 1946, His post-war work in the film industry included roles in the United States, Canada, Barbados and Ireland, and included the establishment of several companies, writing and producing films for television, work in sales and production and executive roles.