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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 29, 2011 15:42:25 GMT 12
Here is something that I think is worthwhile sharing. Last year I went to Wanganui and, with Zac Yates, I visited the now late WWII RNZAF fighter pilot James Cranstone. Jim Cranstone flew Buffaloes in Singapore, and Hurricanes and Thunderbolts in India and Burma. I had the pleasure to interview him about some of his memories of those days. During the converation - which I have just been relistening to and had completely forgotten till now - he mentioned, "Of course I was lucky in that I had my wife with me the whole time." He went on to explain that his wife, Dorothy Cranstone, worked for the RNZAF as an official war correspondent overseas. he said she was rather extraordinary as she would board planes and fly on missions to get a good story, and he said on one occasion she flew into China for a trip. I got the impression some of these missions were over enemy territory. He said at the end of the war she got a flight into Singapore and was one of if not the first kiwi there in peacetime, and she made herself busy visiting all the prison camps and gathering the names and details of all the New Zealanders there who'd been POW's. She then contacted Walter Nash who she was personal friends with and got him to arrange the RNZAF to fly in some planes to bring the POW's home. This is about all I got out of him about his late wife, but man, what an extraordinary woman she sounds to have been. I did a websearch and found she is credited for a photo of freed prisoners in this official history; www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-1Epi-b1-WH2-1Epi-f.htmlBut that's all I have found. I wonder if anyone out there has any more on her career and her writing?
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Post by chinapilot on Dec 6, 2011 13:07:45 GMT 12
Dave - sure you found this but just in case... www.cranzone.com/harrisft/jim_cranstone.jpg....Jim won a DFC during WWII (Seen here with his first wife, Dorothy. Refers to photo in url) They had one son, Christopher , who was killed in a car accident in Aussie. Jim and Dot split up and he married another Dorothy and had 3 children.Jim died in August 2010....
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 6, 2011 18:29:30 GMT 12
Hi China,
Thank you, I had never seen those two photos, they're fantastic.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 17, 2011 0:43:07 GMT 12
Not realted to the war but certainly to Dorothy and Jim Cranstone:
Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1940, Page 14
WANGANUI WEDDING
BRIDE IN GOLD-PATTERNED WHITE SATIN
(From "The Post's" Representative.)
On Saturday afternoon at "Manurewa," Mangamahu Valley, Wanganui, the marriage was solemnised of "Dorothy, only daughter of Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., and Mrs. Poison, and James,-younger son of Mr. E. M. Cranstone, and the late Mrs. Cranstone, "Riverton," Wanganui. The ceremony was performed on the lawn before the^ house, and the Rev. G. W. -Hercus, Fordell, officiated.
The bride, who was escorted by her father, wore an off-white stiff satin, hand-painted gold frock, and a tulle veil, which had been worn by her mother, and she carried a sheaf of lilies.
Her attendants were Mrs. H. E. B. Newton (Wanganui), Misses Ngaire Russell (Wanganui) and Alison) Hunter (Wanganui), who were frocked alike in autumn gold silk taffeta bustled frocks. All carried autumn tinted flowers and wore autumn leaves "in their hair. Pamela Myers, granddaughter of Sir Michael and Lady Myers, was the flower girl, wearing a frock similar to that of the bride.
Messrs. Edward Cranstone, Robin Poison, and Colin Smith (Wairarapa) attended the bridegroom. A large marquee was beautifully decorated with autumn flowers and foliage, and Mrs. Poison received the man^g guests wearing grey lace and cyclamen hat, and carrying a cyclamen bouquet. Among the guests was the bride's grandmother, Mrs. D. G. Poison, a pioneer settler in the valley.
So, I wonder when she joined the RNZAF, and if she moved to Singapore as a civvie with him, and then fell into the service job, or what?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 17, 2011 0:58:29 GMT 12
Here we go:
Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 102, 27 October 1945, Page 9
MM. FLIGHT
TASK COMPLETED RETURN TO WELLINGTON
Members of the R.N.Z.A.F. Prisoner of War Evacuation Flight, who recently completed their task of bringing New Zealand service and civilian personnel out from Malaya, Siam, and the Netherlands Indies, returned-to Wellington this week.
The flight used 12 transport aircraft for the task and arrived in Singapore on the actual day of the surrender of the city, September 12. The duty of the team was to succour as many New Zealand prisoners of war and civil internees as could be located in Malaya, Siam, and the East Indies area.
The last aircraft returned to New Zealand via Australia on October 23. About 150 people were brought out in relays, after receiving attention at depots arranged by the party. Members of the party all paid tribute to the efficiency of the organisation, and the co-operation obtained from British and Australian service personnel.
Immediately on landing in Singapore their organisation was functioning. Squadron Leader M. L. Price stated that about 30 tons of supplies and equipment were taken from New Zealand. On the trip out the planes travelled by way of Santo, Bougainville, the Admiralty Islands, Moratai, Labuan, and Singapore, and the return route was by way of Labuan, Morotai, Darwin, Townsville, Brisbane, and Auckland.
SERVILE JAPANESE. The attitude of the Japanese, both in Malaya and the Indies, he said, was "servile in the extreme," and "almost too polite." The New Zealanders were surprised to find a good concrete landing strip (that had been made by prisoners of war) still in existence in Singapore.
Curiously enough, a New Zealand flying officer, one of the last to leave Singapore, had cached a quantity of champagne and whisky on that precise spot. The Japanese, unknowingly, built the strip over the cache, and never discovered the liquor. It was still there when the same officer returned.
The Japanese were still in control in Batavia when Flight Lieutenant. E. F. Edwards was there on September 16, and he was surprised to find a small guard of honour awaiting him when he arrived in his Dakota. Count Yamaguehi, complete with aides-decamp and interpreters, later called on him at his hotel. The Japanese general saluted, bowed, and wished him a pleasant stay. "We welcome you to Java," he said, "and hope you will enjoy your stay here." "I was so flabbergasted that all I could do was to salute and bow also," said Flight Lieutenant Edwards. He and his party were taken, to Bandoeng in a Japanese aircraft similar in design to an Oxford, and manned entirely by Japanese. "I did not much like the idea of the latter," he confessed, "so I went along to the pilot's seat, indicated that I wished, to take over, and then-flew the machine myself."
Also on that trip were Squadron Leader de la Perelle, L.A.C. Samuels, and Sister A. M. Williams, of Auckland. The New Zealanders returned from Bandoeng to Batavia in a Mitchell which was flown by a Dutch crew.
Transport officers spoke of their difficulty in obtaining suitable vehicles for evacuation purposes on arrival at Singapore. The majority of trucks and motor-cars had been taken over by the enemy, who appeared to have done nothing in the way of repairs. Only a few were of Japanese manufacture. Modern American motor-cars had been converted into trucks, and though a few trucks had been patched up, the, majority were useless, and the use of palm oil as fuel had not improved those that were available. The Japanese just "dumped" those that they could not service. Evenually 17 vehicles were obtained by the New Zealanders, though some had to be handed over "to the R.A.F., including, one motor-car which an enterprising Australian had taken from a Japanese colonel.
EFFICIENT ORGANISATION. The New Zealanders took with them lists of prisoners of war and civilian internees and they were found to be I remarkably accurate. Other records had been kept by Dr. B. Jacobs, former superintendent of the Singapore civil hospital, a New Zealander, who had remained behind after the Japanese occupation, and Flight Lieutenant Miller, another New Zealander who had been captured.
Much of the work of actual contact had been accomplished before the party's arrival, and the co-operation by the Australians in that work was also most helpful.
Junior Commander Dorothy Cranstone, formerly of Wanganui, a daughter of Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., who went into Singapore with the first hospital ship from India, performed invaluable service on the radio by making contact with other New Zealanders. She was associated with the South-east Asia Command as a public relations officer. A prominent Chinese resident of Singapore placed his magnificent home at the disposal of the evacuated New Zealanders, and a reception centre was established there with 60 beds.
Flying Officer J. G. Watts, of the Medical Service, spoke enthusiastically of the values of the New Zealand foods that were taken. Despite their hardship, there was soon a marked improvement, he said, in the condition of the evacuees. It was difficult for them to learn to relax, said Sister Williams, though conditions were ideal for that purpose. All were suffering from malnutrition, but medical work was negligible, only odd dressings being required.
Equipment officers stated that there was a 'great demand for clothing, especially underclothing, and more could have been taken. However, it was difficult to make any estimates before the trip. Some of the women internees had been making clothing from the silk of Japanese parachutes.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 17, 2011 1:09:20 GMT 12
This is actually likely to be one of Dorothy's stories written for the RNZAF News Service: Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1945, Page 6 (Does anyone have more details of this all kiwi crew and their squadron?)
BURMA SKY TRAIN
ARMY FED BY PLANES
NEW ZEALANDERS' PART
(R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) AIR COMMAND, South-East Asia, February 3. Battling their way over precipitous mountains and across the jungled plains of north-west Burma, the Fourteenth Army has been almost entirely dependent on the Royal Air Force for supplies. Nowhere in the world is an army contending with such difficulties of communications. New Zealand airmen are playing their part in the solution of the problem.
Operating across the trackless jungle covered ranges, far from any port or railway, building roads and countless bridges as they go, units of the Fourteenth Army have been incessantly fed from the sky by supply-dropping aircraft of the Eastern Air Command. The aircraft maintain a constant goods tram service. This requires skilful flying, especially in the monsoon weather when clouds shroud the mountains and gorges which the aircraft must negotiate before pin-pointing their valuable cargo on to tiny targets.
Today, New Zealanders flew on a supply-dropping mission to our forward troops now closing in on Mandalay. Briefed for a dawn take-off their aircraft was one in a long line flying up out of the famous Imphal Valley, where last year our forces were besieged by the Japanese for three months. Flying at 6000 feet, the aircraft crossed through heavily forested ranges into Burma. Just at sunrise, it flew over the fabled Chindwin River and came down on to the forested foothills and later the plains and paddy fields of north-west Burma. From then on, the aircraft flew at tree-top level to avoid enemy fighters.
FANTASTIC PAGODAS. Fantastic golden-spired pagodas flashed past. Smoke rose from cosy Burmese villages. Patrolling Spitfires raced ahead. Here a constant menace to low-flying aircraft are the innumerable large birds which hole the planes if hit and often cause disaster.
A tall, fair New Zealander, Flying Officer S. W. Hamilton (Frankton Junction), was piloting one of the Dakotas, and he pointed out the scenes of fierce earlier battles. Braced against the wind at the hatch, three New Zealanders pushed the piles of parachuted cargo out. In all, the aircraft made 12 runs over the dropping zone. Later, the aircraft landed on a dusty airstrip near Shwebo and disembarked food for the troops in that area.
Skimming home over the tree-tops, streams of aircraft were passed. They were all maintaining this sky-train supply service. Flying back into the the ranges towards tiny mountain-girt Imphal, is reminiscent of the Hutt Valley. The Dakota flew for miles beside that marvel of military engineering, the 7000 ft climbing Tamu Road: Suddenly the wireless operator, Warrant Officer P. J. Henricks (Redwoods Valley), made a quick gesture. The hitherto carefree members of the crew snatched up their sets of earphones and listened with intent faces. Dance music was coming over from Los Angeles.
Other New Zealanders in the crew were Warrant Officer L. H. McNamara (Maunganui, North Auckland) and Warrant Officer A. T. Davies (Tauranga).
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Post by errolmartyn on Dec 17, 2011 9:46:54 GMT 12
"So, I wonder when she joined the RNZAF, and if she moved to Singapore as a civvie with him, and then fell into the service job, or what?"
Dorothy Martha Janet Cranstone does not appear to have ever been a member of the New Zealand WAAF (she would of course not have been a member of the RNZAF either).
Errol
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Post by errolmartyn on Dec 17, 2011 10:18:05 GMT 12
This is actually likely to be one of Dorothy's stories written for the RNZAF News Service: Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1945, Page 6 (Does anyone have more details of this all kiwi crew and their squadron?) BURMA SKY TRAIN ARMY FED BY PLANES NEW ZEALANDERS' PART (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) AIR COMMAND, South-East Asia, February 3. Battling their way over precipitous mountains and across the jungled plains of north-west Burma, the Fourteenth Army has been almost entirely dependent on the Royal Air Force for supplies. Nowhere in the world is an army contending with such difficulties of communications. New Zealand airmen are playing their part in the solution of the problem. Operating across the trackless jungle covered ranges, far from any port or railway, building roads and countless bridges as they go, units of the Fourteenth Army have been incessantly fed from the sky by supply-dropping aircraft of the Eastern Air Command. The aircraft maintain a constant goods tram service. This requires skilful flying, especially in the monsoon weather when clouds shroud the mountains and gorges which the aircraft must negotiate before pin-pointing their valuable cargo on to tiny targets. Today, New Zealanders flew on a supply-dropping mission to our forward troops now closing in on Mandalay. Briefed for a dawn take-off their aircraft was one in a long line flying up out of the famous Imphal Valley, where last year our forces were besieged by the Japanese for three months. Flying at 6000 feet, the aircraft crossed through heavily forested ranges into Burma. Just at sunrise, it flew over the fabled Chindwin River and came down on to the forested foothills and later the plains and paddy fields of north-west Burma. From then on, the aircraft flew at tree-top level to avoid enemy fighters. FANTASTIC PAGODAS. Fantastic golden-spired pagodas flashed past. Smoke rose from cosy Burmese villages. Patrolling Spitfires raced ahead. Here a constant menace to low-flying aircraft are the innumerable large birds which hole the planes if hit and often cause disaster. A tall, fair New Zealander, Flying Officer S. W. Hamilton (Frankton Junction), was piloting one of the Dakotas, and he pointed out the scenes of fierce earlier battles. Braced against the wind at the hatch, three New Zealanders pushed the piles of parachuted cargo out. In all, the aircraft made 12 runs over the dropping zone. Later, the aircraft landed on a dusty airstrip near Shwebo and disembarked food for the troops in that area. Skimming home over the tree-tops, streams of aircraft were passed. They were all maintaining this sky-train supply service. Flying back into the the ranges towards tiny mountain-girt Imphal, is reminiscent of the Hutt Valley. The Dakota flew for miles beside that marvel of military engineering, the 7000 ft climbing Tamu Road: Suddenly the wireless operator, Warrant Officer P. J. Henricks (Redwoods Valley), made a quick gesture. The hitherto carefree members of the crew snatched up their sets of earphones and listened with intent faces. Dance music was coming over from Los Angeles. Other New Zealanders in the crew were Warrant Officer L. H. McNamara (Maunganui, North Auckland) and Warrant Officer A. T. Davies (Tauranga). NZ421267 Allan Thomas Davies NZ415179 Leslie Henry McNamara Survived the war. Hamilton was not so lucky: HAMILTON, Flight Lieutenant Seymour William. NZ424457; b Takapau 16 Jun 23; Morrinsville DHS (1st XI/XV); clerical cadet - NZR, [Hamilton?]. NZ Army/TF (4th Waikato MR) 4 yrs; RNZAF Rotorua/ITW as Airman Pilot u/t 2 May 42, 1EFTS 13 Jun 42, emb for Canada 2 Oct 42, att RCAF 14 Oct 42, 3 M Depôt 19 Oct 42, 3SFTS 7 Nov 42, Pilots Badge & Comm 5 Mar 43, 2FIS, 31GRS RAF 20 Mar 43, 32OTU RAF (Hampden) 26 Jun 43, 1 Y Depôt 7 Oct 43, att RAF & train to New York for emb for UK 8 Oct 43, 12PD&RC 17 Oct 43, 6(P)AFU (Oxford) 8 Feb 44, MCF (Mosquito) 9 Mar 44, 1508(Gee Training)Flt (Mosquito) 24 Mar 44, 487 Sqn RNZAF (Mosquito) 27 Mar 44 [night vision cse 31 Mar-2 Apr], 107OTU (Dakota) 1 Jul 44, by Sunderland to India via Gibraltar, Tunisia, Egypt, Iraq & Bahrein 20-23 Jul 44, 229 Gp c.24 Jul 44, TSTU (Dakota) 11 Aug 44, 62 Sqn (Dakota - 78 ops) 8 Sep 44, kao 13 Jul 45. Taukkyan War Cemetery - 3.F.11, Rangoon, Burma. Son of Isaac John & Laura Florence Hamilton (née Seymour), Hamilton. [OHT3 & phot. TWN 5.9.45]. [Vol Three of my For Your Tomorrow] Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 17, 2011 18:29:58 GMT 12
Thanks Errol. I guess Dorothy was a civilian working for the RNZAF then as a correspondent. Quite a remarkable lady all the same. I reckon she would make an interesting subject for the Air Force Museum of New Zealand to feature in one of their personal displays. I wonder if they have enough on her to put somethign together, or if they'd be interested.
While searching Papers Past I saw that Jim Cranstone was presented a ceremonial Samurai sword by the Army for his part in leading his squadron that lead to a crucial breakthrough in the front lines. He was pretty modest when I talked with him.
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Post by errolmartyn on Dec 17, 2011 20:07:48 GMT 12
Dave,
Note that in one of those Evening Post accounts she is described as 'Junior Commander Dorothy Cranstone', which sounds more naval than air force, but perhaps relates to some other organisation altogether.
Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 17, 2011 21:40:04 GMT 12
Yes, I wonder if it is a WAAC rank maybe, or Tui, or something like that. Although Jim did say she worked for the RNZAF, so I just am not sure. Maybe she was given a temporary Wren rank in order to get into Singapore to do her work there, from the sound of what Jim said she was one of the main organisers of that rescue mission of the POW's, dealing directly with Deputy PM Walter Nash to set up the aircraft as she knew him personally.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 16, 2015 17:49:28 GMT 12
I just had the following email from Jeannine Baker: "Dear Dave A few years ago you posted some information about war correspondent Dorothy Cranstone, the wife of Jim Cranstone, on Wings Over New Zealand. I have done quite a bit of research on her, initially for a PhD thesis (Melbourne University, 2013) on Australian women war reporters (I know she was a New Zealander but she did write for some Aust papers). I thought you'd be interested in reading this essay which has just been published: insidestory.org.au/war-stories which has a little bit about her. I'm also writing a book on Australasian Women War Reporters: Boer War to Vietnam which will be published in September by NewSouth Publishing, and this will have more information about Dorothy Cranstone (although she's quite elusive!). I'd be very happy to hear from anybody who has any knowledge of her. I am still amazed that she was permitted to fly with the RNZAF - she's the only woman I've found who was accorded such a privilege. Best wishes, Jeannine"
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 8, 2016 15:29:03 GMT 12
I just came across this photo on Papers Past from the Auckland Star published on the 10th of May 1944
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