Date of birth:

August 15th, 1915 (Dauphin/Manitoba, Canada)

Date of death:

January 1995 (Ottawa/Ontario, Canada)

Service number:

41761

Nationality:

Canadian

Before the war, Hank Wardle worked as a bookkeeper. In March 1939 he sailed to England and joined the RAF. Initially he was posted to No. 98 Squadron but joined 218 Squadron in November 1939 which was stationed in France as it was part of the Advanced Air Striking Force. On 29 April 1940 he made a reconnaissance flight over Germany, flying a Fairey Battle. But the engine suddenly caught fire - possibly as a result of an attack by a Bf109 night-fighter - after which he ordered the other two crew members to bail out. Sadly Hardle was the only one the three to survive after which he was taken prisoner of war. This encounter is reported to be the first instance of a British bomber being shot down over Germany at night.
Hardle made two unsuccessful escapes from two different camps. After his last attemmpt the Germans kicked him and battered him with rifle butts, leaving him impaired hearing and a limp. Wardle then was sent to Colditz in November 1940. He continued his escape activities and made yet another unsuccesful attempt. But on the night of October 14, 1942 Wardle together with Captain (later Major) Pat Reid, Major R.B. Littledale and Lieutenant-Colonel W.L. Stephens managed to break out. Wardle teamed up with Reid and on 18 October they crossed the Swiss border.
He then completed his "home run" by travelling through Spain to Gibraltar disguised as a hairdresser called "Raoul". Back in England on July 5, 1944, he was interviewed by MI9 after which he was awarded the MIlitary Cross (see below).
Wardle resumed flying duties, ferrying aircraft to the Middle and Far East and across the Atlantic.
Wardle remained in the air force and he was involved in a mid-air collision, which resulted in a crash in 1948, soon after he resigned his commission.

Promotions:
4 March, 1939: Acting Pilot Officer on Probation
23 September, 1939: Pilot Officer
23 September, 1940: Flying Officer (war sub)
23 September, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
1 July, 1945: Temporary Squadron Leader

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 16th, 1944

Recommendation:
"Flight Lieutenant Wardle was captured in the early stage of the war and interned in Germany. Almost immediately he set about making plans to escape but was recaptured after his first attempt and transferred to another camp.
He persevered in his efforts and in spite of several failures, eventually by a bold and daring scheme, requiring great courage and powers of endurance, he succeeded in getting out of Camp in company with three other officers.
The party divided into pairs and after a hazardous journey through Germany he reached a neutral country, and finally this country.
By his continuous initiative, daring and resource over a period of two years, this officer has displayed the highest qualities of courage and determination, and I strongly recommend that he should be awarded the Military Cross."

Drawn up 10th March, 1944 by Air Vice-Marshal R Harrison, co no. 3 Group.

• - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34610/page/2010
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34733/page/7642
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35076/page/901
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36516/supplement/2242
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37240/supplement/4334
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37336/supplement/5386
  - No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron 1936-1945 | "In-Time"
  - Search Awards - Royal Canadian Air Force Association
  - Canada from Afar: The Daily Telegraph Book of Canadian Obituaries