| John R Hartley was the son of Samuel and Sarah Hartley. He was born about 1921.
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| John joined the Royal Navy prior to World War 2 as a cadet seaman and served with a number of Royal Navy ships prior to his final posting on the destroyer HMS Stanley.
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| After some repairs, the HMS Stanley left Trinity Harbour for the UK on 14 December, arriving at Plymouth on 2 Jan, 1941. She was reconstructed and returned to service in August, joining first the Western Approaches Command and then the 40th Escort Group. The first voyages took the destroyer to Freetown as escort of a troop convoy and after escorting the convoy SL-94 she arrived at Gibraltar, where she joined the 36th Escort Group.
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| On the 14th of December 1941, HMS Stanley was deployed on convoy escort duty, joining convoy HG 76 at Gibraltar for the journey back to England. December 17th and 18th saw HMS Stanley along with other Royal Navy ships in action against German submarines, which resulted in the destruction and loss of two German submarines, U-131 and U-434.
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| However, at approximately 04:15 hours on the 19th of December, HMS Stanley (I 73) (LtCdr D.B. Shaw, RN, OBE) was hit by two of three torpedoes from U-574, while on station astern of the convoy HG-76. HMS Stanley exploded and immediately sank about 330 miles west of Cape Sines, Portugal. sank, HMS Stanley sank with the loss of all but 25 of her crew. HMS Stanley is reported to have sunk at 38.12N 17.23W
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| The U-boat was sunk 12 minutes after the attack by HMS Stork (L 81), which later picked up the survivors from HMS Stanley (I 73) together with HMS Samphire (K 128).
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| HMS Stanley is reported to have sunk at 38.12N 17.23W
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| Able Seaman John (Jack) Hartley was 20 years old.
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| 1942
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th January 1942: Moneymore
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| The sad news that Able Seaman Jack Hartley (eldest son of Mr and Mrs Samuel Hartley, of Crossnarea), was missing and presumed killed was received on Friday last. Seaman Hartley, although only 20 years of age, had over four years’ experience on the Navy, which he joined immediately he left school, where he was known as a bright lad and a favourite among his schoolmates. Since the outbreak of war he had seen service in many kinds of craft, on all the oceans of the world, and in his too short like had compressed exciting experiences denied to the majority. His father was wounded in the Great War, while his younger brother George is also serving in the present war. To this loyal family who have suffered so grievously, the heartfelt sympathy of the community is given.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th April 1942: Moneymore
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| At a meeting of the Coronation Branch Walker Club, Apprentice Boys of Derry – Brother A Bates (vice-president) in the chair – votes of condolence were passed with Brothers Samuel Hartley (President) and Francis Curran, both of whom had sons reported missing whilst on active service. Other votes of condolence were passed, all business was adjourned as a tribute to the President and other bereaved brethren.
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| 1944
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th February 1944: Coagh District L.O.L. No. 10
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| The quarterly meeting of Coagh District L.O.L. No. 10 was held in Coagh Orange Hall, Bro James Sloss, D.D.M., in the chair and Bro William Nesbitt, District Secretary, in the vice-chair. A vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Bro A Forsythe, D.M., of L.O.L. No. 1436. Resolutions of sympathy were also passed to the following Orangemen of the District who have lost sons killed in action:- Bros Thomas Currie, Samuel Hartley and Alex Jeffers.
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| 1945
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 19th May 1945: Moneymore – Victory Celebrations (Lance Corporal George Hartley – brother of Able Seaman John Hartley)
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| An air of relief, and almost of wonder, seemed to pervade the whole Moneymore district on Wednesday, VE-Day plus 1. In the morning the youth of the village got busy, and having persuaded their elders to procure haulage, proceeded to the grounds of Springhill, and (with the kind permission of Captain W L Lenox-Conyngham, H.M.L.), loaded up with the debris of the plantation, built materials for ah huge bonfire on the Fair Hill. At 9pm a procession formed at Bridge Street, headed by Ringsend Flute Band, followed by contingents of Girl Guides, Brownies, Cubs, members of the Women’s Volunteer Service and St John’s Ambulance Brigade. Next came the villain of the piece, Hitler, complete with moustache and fringe, mounted on a truck. The Boy Scouts and members of the Young Farmer’s Club followed, with members of the Home Guard, Civil Defence, and also a drumming party. Arriving on the Fair Hill, a huge concourse of people surrounded the platform. A place of honour was given to three local soldiers who had been wounded:
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Lance Corporal George Hartley of the Royal Scots, wounded in action at the Siegfried Line in February
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Commando Robert Hutchinson, wounded in Normandy on D-Day
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Private Fred Johnston of the Royal Sussex, who went through the North African and Italian campaigns, and was wounded at Cassino.
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| Also on the platform was a number of local members of the Forces.
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| Memorials
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| Able Seaman John Hartley is commemorated on Panel 47 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
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| John Hartley is also commemorated in the Churchyard of St. Johns, Moneymore.
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| Photos courtesy of Andrew Hartley.
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| The CWGC reports Able Seaman John (Jack) Hartley was the son of Samuel and Sarah Hartley of Crossnarea, Moneymore.
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