hartleyfamilyorguk Hartley Family

The Life and Times of MacH

Dedicated to Mac HARTLEY [1924-1999]

Mac was born Ramsay HARTLEY in Coventry on the 2nd February 1924 the youngest of nine children and from the fourth generation of an engineering family originally from Manchester. He was named 'Ramsay' after the first British Labour Prime Minister of 1924, Ramsay MacDonald and also took his nickname, Mac, from him..

His father was John William HARTLEY, born in Manchester, a Toolmaker apprenticed in the submarine engineering at Barrow in Furness. He was descended from a large traditional northern family with strong left-wing beliefs and values. John Willy [as he was known to his family] had brought his father and brothers to Coventry and was in 1924 an Inspector at the Standard Motor Company, Canley. Mac's mother was Sarah HALL, born in Chadderton, Oldham, the daughter of a Cotton Mill Supervisor.

He knew little of his parent's life and their Lancashire roots. He grew up during the late 1920's Crash and 30's Depression and his early years helped shape him into a fighter, tough on the outside and determined to make his mark. He went to the local Frederick Bird School in Hillfields. At the age of ten his father encouraged him to sit the entrance exam for the local Grammar School but although he undoubtedly had the ability, Mac didn't see his future in that direction. He entered the exam room, filled out his name and then sat, arms folded, until the exam ended. If Mac was determined to do something, he would; if he was determined not to do something, he wouldn't. From an early age, he was his own man.

Mac left school in 1938 aged 14 to work into engineering, for a time at Bagington. He had a knack for finding short cuts and easier ways to carry out his work. He had a gift for solving problems, seeing things from several perspectives at one time, which stood him in good stead all of his life. He was still able in his final years to relate many interesting stories about his younger days. His engineering work was cut short by the outbreak of WWII in 1939. Mac was appalled by the bombing of Coventry during the Blitz of 1940. In 1941, he satisfied an urgency to direct his anger by enlisting just as soon as he was old enough, joining the Fleet Air Arm [see below]. He set off on what was to become four long eventful years, taking part in memorable campaigns, forging close friendships and stretching his horizons. Mac was involved in both Atlantic and Pacific engagements. He travelled as far as Suez and Bombay and also the length and breadth of Europe and Britain. Mac crammed twenty years of living into those four years. His courage was rewarded with both the Atlantic Star and Burma Star. His final war years were involved with a film unit which gave him his lasting interest in the movie world.

Medals Award Ceremony: May 1945
Mac was awarded the Atlantic Star, Burma Star and WWII Service Medals.

Not long after his demob he met his sweetheart Joyce WILLIAMS and they were married on 21st December 1946 at Stoke Church. Mac and Joyce were together for 34 years and they had three girls and three boys. Sadly baby Christine died at birth in 1956.
Like his father, Mac eventually joined the Standard Motor Company. He worked his way up to Chargehand and Foreman during the Fifties. He was based at the Radford Machine Shop for over two decades as Night Foreman. He enjoyed a close relationship with colleagues from all walks of life and over the years shared in the lives of men and women who knew him simply as 'Mac'.
He was quite a storyteller. He related stories about his childhood days like playing pitch-and-toss, and winning, on his way to school. He told stories about his years at sea, tales which would keep those around him spellbound. He told stories about the goings on during the nightshift at the car factory. In his younger days Mac was a keen and successful darts player in the many local pubs and clubs around Tile Hill and Burton Green. He travelled to pubs and to work every day on his push bike and motor bike. On one occasion, returning home after a night on the ale, he parked his bike in someone else's garden, only realising his mistake when he was chased from their garden by a fierce dog.

Mac was described by those who knew him well as a 'sound bloke'. Everyone knew if they needed a favour or wanted to borrow tolls or a few quid, they were always welcome at his home. If you locked yourself out, Mac would find a way in, one way or another. Until parting with his car at the age of seventy, you would often have found Mac on his driveway, wearing overalls, under a car, covered with grease and oil; or in his garage, fixing things or making his own designed replacement parts on his lathe.

Mac was the father of five children. He was grandfather to eleven, as well as great grandfather to three. Everyone who knew him was deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected loss of Mac on Saturday 11th December 1999.

He loved his regular Saturday teatime family get-togethers at the Hartley home and there would have been one that day. He would go shopping in town every Friday for biscuits and cakes. He attempted to fill the gap in the lives of his children and grandchildren left by the sudden death of his wife Joyce. He succeeded and held the family together.

Tragically Joyce died in March 1980 at the young age of 53 at a time when Mac was waiting to hear the outcome of a factory closure which meant early retirement for him at the age of 56. Mac was totally devastated, their retirement dreams and plans unfulfilled. His family supported him totally. Mac never wished to marry again and was determined not to be a burden on anybody. He lived on his own during the 1980's and 90's but loved the company of friends and family. In turn, he was a tower of strength, someone you could turn to for help, always accepting new challenges which would likely have defeated others.

He was often the first to buy new technological innovations such as a digital watch, calculator, video recorder, microwave oven and computer. He was definitely a 'gadgetman'. He continued his love for both old and modern movies and popular music, for crosswords, puzzles and TV quiz shows. He never lost his magical touch for anything mechanical. His daily routine was astonishingly precise and deliberately so, for he always acknowledged the good which came from his naval training. Mac was a man with strong views and principles. He was also a man who was willing to listen, compromise and adapt to the changing world.

From an early age, til the end, Mac took charge of his life completely and successfully. His abilities were driven by his physical strength, his power of reasoning, his search for the truth and above all, his absolute modesty. He was a cheerful, caring man who was a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather and a good friend you could trust. He was loved in return by all around him and all who knew him.

listen to some of Mac's favourite music [click on covers, or blue links below the covers] ...

"Stranger In Paradise" [Kismet 1955]