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Squadron Leader (retired) John Stewart Hart celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 11, 2016. Not only has he achieved a remarkable milestone in his life, he is also the last known surviving Canadian pilot who flew in the Battle of Britain.
In recognition of these two tremendous aspects of his life, the Royal Canadian Air Force conducted a flyby in his honour over his home in Naramata, B.C., on Battle of Britain Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016.
Two CF-188 Hornet fighters from 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron, located at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta., made the pass over Squadron Leader Hart’s home at 2 p.m.
“Upon the completion of the flypast, Mr. Hart and his family joined us at the airplanes at the [Penticton Regional] Airport for a tour,” said LCol William Radiff, commanding officer of 409 Squadron. “All of his family, save Mr. Hart, got into the airplane to see what it is like. There were four generations of Harts at the airplane; very inspiring. Mr. Hart was quite surprised at the small size of the wing of the Hornet [and said] that he would love to try it out.
“Last Sunday, on his 100th birthday, he went for a flight in the back of a Harvard,” Radiff continued. “In true fighter pilot fashion, when asked how it was to fly, [he] stated that it was handled like a logging truck–nothing like the nimble Spitfire!”
Squadron Leader Hart joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1939 and flew the famous Supermarine Spitfire during the Battle of Britain, which turned the tide of the Second World War and prevented a Nazi invasion of the United Kingdom.
“It’s truly a privilege for 409 Squadron to be able to mark the 100th birthday of Squadron Leader Hart and honour his service in that historic conflict,” Radiff told the Penticton Western News.
Squadron Leader Hart is modest about both his age and his accomplishments during the Battle of Britain.
“I just happened to be born in Sackville, [N.B.] 100 years ago, happened to be accepted to the RAF in 1939 and ended up flying Spitfires in the Battle of Britain, and I survived,” he said. “I would like to take this recognition and dedicate it to those who fought and died and to those who survived, that we do not forget them.”
LGen Mike Hood, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, praised the former of Battle Britain pilot.
“Canada’s Air Force has changed in many ways over the years since you answered the call to service during the Second World War,” he wrote in a letter to Squadron Leader Hart on the occasion of his 100th birthday. “But the qualities that never change are the devotion and courage of the people who so proudly serve this country. You laid the solid foundation of duty, honour and dedication to Canada on which we continue to build.
“On behalf of the airmen and airwomen of the Royal Canadian Air Force, I thank you for your service in the RAF and extend my best wishes for the future.”
Squadron Leader Hart was also recognized in Hood’s remarks during last year’s 75th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Britain, which was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and attended by many dignitaries, including Governor General David Johnston. In addition, the Battle of Britain pilot’s biography appeared in the ceremony’s souvenir booklet.
On Oct. 10, 1940, during the Battle of Britain, Flying Officer Hart shared in the probable destruction of a Junkers Ju88 and on Oct. 29 he claimed a Messerschmitt Me109 (also known as the Bf109) destroyed.
On Nov. 13 he shared in the destruction of a Junkers Ju88. In early 1941, he was serving with 91 Squadron at Hawkinge, England, but he returned to 602 “City of Glasgow” Squadron and then went to an operational training unit as an instructor. He commanded 67 Squadron in Burma from May to July 1943 and 112 Squadron in Italy from April to August 1945.
He also served in No. 614 Squadron, No. 613 Squadron and No. 54 Squadron.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on June 22, 1945, while serving with 112 Squadron. His citation reads:
“This officer has participated in a large number of varied sorties, including many attacks on heavily defended targets such as road and rail bridges, gun positions, strong points and mechanical transport. Throughout he has displayed skillful leadership, great determination and devotion to duty. In April 1945, Squadron Leader Hart took part in an armed reconnaissance during which eleven locomotives were successfully attacked. Some days later Squadron Leader Hart participated in another sortie during which a number of locomotives and trucks were most effectively attacked. This officer has invariably displayed the greatest keenness and has set a fine example to all.”
Squadron Leader Hart took his release from the RAF in 1946. Following the war, he had a career in real estate in Vancouver, B.C., from which he retired in 1976.
