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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 20, 2010 19:42:29 GMT 12
I would like to say a thank you to the staff at RNZAF Base Whenuapai who have created a lasting memorial to the men of No. 485 (NZ) Squadron within their No. 485 Wing.
It is great to see that rooms have been named after three of the pilots, Reg Grant and John Pattison who were both very popular men on the squadron, and especially interesting for me, they have dedicated The Bill Wells Room.
Bill Wells, more officially known as Edward Preston Wells, or less officially known as Hawkeye, was born and bred here in Cambridge and I was most probably the last researcher to interview him about his career before he died. It is so great to know he is being officially remembered by the RNZAF in this way, the older people of Cambridge all remember him and his pre-war and wartime exploits. He was a popular man around the town. I have been piecing together his story over the past few years and it is a good one. I have not yet got it online, as i want to make it a full and accurate tribute to him.
So thanks to those at Whenuapai who've done this, from a another Cambridge former airman, and a researcher who hopes Bill will not be forgotten.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Dec 21, 2010 6:56:14 GMT 12
Also nice to see Ohakea has formed 488 Wing in remembrance of that famous WWII Squadron.
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Post by pilotintraining on Dec 23, 2010 23:57:27 GMT 12
Just like to throw my thanks in there as well - good too see they still remember uncle John! ( well great uncle really )
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Post by McFly on Dec 30, 2010 20:59:16 GMT 12
HQ 485 Wing was privileged to be able to name three of its rooms after three of the previous 485 Sqn Commanding Officers. This helped to tie even closer the linkages between the current Wing and its historical wartime Sqn from which it takes is number and history. The choice of Grant, Wells and Pattison was not a hard one to make having been firmly endorsed by the 485 Sqn Association and surviving pilots. Having Doug Brown, Harvey Sweetman and Ken Lee (all ex 485 Sqn Spitfire pilots who flew with these COs) to officiate at the room naming and conduct the unveiling ceremony made for a moving tribute on what was a significant day (15 Sept - BoB Day). Doug Brown opening the 'Reg Grant' room. Harvey Sweetman opens the 'Bill Wells' room. And Ken Lee opens the 'Johnny Pattison' room. (All photos RNZAF official)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 30, 2010 21:49:03 GMT 12
Great stuff, thanks McFly. I've met Harvey and Ken, both smashing blokes.
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Post by McFly on Dec 31, 2010 20:26:35 GMT 12
Speaking of 485 Wing and its association with 485 (NZ) Sqn. I thought I'd share some photos of the memorial wall in the HQ building at RNZAF Whenuapai plus a few more from the last reunion held at Whenuapai at the end of Feb 2010. It's always a privilege to have the ex 485 Sqn pilots and families visit the HQ and RNZAF Whenuapai where many of them did their pilot training. Honoring them in some small way helps also to maintain the linkages between the Wing and the Sqn. First up - The photo wall (much bigger now): Signed Spitfire prints & paintings: WGCDR Johnny Checketts log book entries & photo: Honours Board listing all the Sqn COs and Wing OCs: Brendon Deere, Kirsty Pattison (SQNLDR Johnny Pattison's grand-daughter) and GPCAPT Tony Davies discuss all things Spitfire in front of 'the wall': W/C Owen Hardy (NZ Ace) beside his photo on the wall: See: www.nzfpm.co.nz/article.asp?id=hardy and rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Books&action=display&thread=11300FLTLT Maurice (Red) Mayston points out to LTCDR Brendon Clarke the Spitfire he was flying on the morning of D-Day over the landing beaches: Kirsty Pattison stands beside a painting of her grandfather SQNLDR Johnny Pattison at the Wing HQ: (Photos RNZAF Official)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 1, 2011 12:27:33 GMT 12
Great stuff. Owen is a bloody nice guy too, and really very interesting to talk with.
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Post by McFly on Jan 4, 2011 10:34:02 GMT 12
While continuing on the 485 (NZ) Sqn theme. The 2010 reunion held at RNZAF Whenuapai over the weekend 26-28 Feb (closest to 1 March when the Squadron was first formed in the UK) was a great affair with eight of the former Squadron pilots and their families attending the various functions. Along with the meet and greet at the Wing HQ on the Friday evening (see previous photos) and the Saturday evening formal dinner in the Officers Mess, the Saturday highlight was the opportunity to get up close and personal with a Spitfire again (thanks Brendon) and to be treated to a fantastic private flying display (thanks Sean). All the pilots had an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the Spitfire’s cockpit, and for many it was the first time since 1945 to have done so. Some were transported back to another time where they could be observed running checklists, conducting scans and reliving some significant experiences and memories. A wonderful weekend for all. A selection from the day: S/L Doug Brown retelling how it was… W/C Owen Hardy W/O Dave Fail (486 (NZ) Sqn – Typhoons) F/L Maurice Mayston F/O Max Collett F/O Russ Clarke F/L Dave Iggo (Photos RNZAF official)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2011 12:36:18 GMT 12
Wonderful photos. When and where is the next No. 485 (NZ) Squadron reunion planned for?
I have heard that poor Russ Clarke is not very well these days. I interviewed him for my website a few years back as he grew up just north of Cambridge (it is not yet typed up for the website though)
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Post by Radialicious on Jan 4, 2011 17:05:08 GMT 12
What a great thread. Well done to the RNZAF. When I joined up we were only really made aware of Trigg, Trent and Ward. There was very little other history passed on. You needed to have an interest in it to learn any more than who the great three VC winners were. Adding personality and reflecting on history in an HQ such as that of 485 Wing is an excellent step. Very impressed. Again, the Mk.9 Spitfire and the generosity of Brendon Deere is great to see. I'll bet those old pilots would have been chuffed to be back in the company of such a machine. I really like the look of the Spitfire with the leaded exhaust stains. Personally, I reckon many warbirds look the best when they appear as they would have back in the day. I'm sure others will agree that his Spitfire is already a very special machine for many people around NZ.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2011 17:30:31 GMT 12
I agree 100% with you there Al. I think they also taught us about Henry Wigram and Ralph Cochrane on our recruit course too as well as the VC winners, but not a great deal more.
In our days most RNZAF personnel were posted or passed through Wigram at some point in their career but these days I wonder if the young RNZAF people have any connection and affection for the Air Force Museum of New Zealand? Is there some sort of course where they can be sent there for a few days to soak up the history of the RNZAF?
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Post by Radialicious on Jan 4, 2011 18:37:35 GMT 12
Of course, Leonard Issit was also mentioned during our recruit training. If resources allowed it, a day visit by recruits to Wigram and the museum, would benefit them hugely.
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Post by the_flying_surfer on Jan 4, 2011 22:56:22 GMT 12
Initial Officer Training Courses used to visit the Museum whilst undertaking long range shoots at West Melton. Not sure if this is still done but I still remember my course trip there (several years ago now).
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Post by McFly on Jan 5, 2011 10:49:38 GMT 12
Ah the Pièce de résistance... These three photos were commissioned following the reunion for presentation to the respective pilots + copies for the Wing 'wall'. I especially like the ‘then and now’ style. Just 67 odd years between the two photos...! Doug Brown in 2010 at RNZAF Whenuapai and as a Sergeant pilot in 1941.F/L Ken Lee – RNZAF Whenuapai 2010 and RAF Biggin Hill 1943. Doug Brown at RNZAF Whenuapai 2010 and with his personal Spitfire coded OU-Q ‘Wine Woman & Song’ in 1942.(Photos RNZAF official)
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Post by oggie2620 on Jan 5, 2011 11:01:09 GMT 12
That pic of Doug Brown with Wine Women and Song is in Kiwis Do Fly but its not as clear as this so thanks for that McFly... He looks as if hes a real character!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 5, 2011 12:05:47 GMT 12
I love those Then and Now shots, just wonderful to see.
Can you tell me who the gent is with the medals on in the left of the photo at the top of this page where Ken Lee is unveiling the Johnny Pattison Room please?
I'm also interested to know if Victor Hall is still alive. He was also from Cambridge, and was best mates with Bill Wells when they were kids and teens in the town. They both joined the RNZAf and both eventually ended up on No. 485 Squadron. Last I know of Vic was he was living in Australia. Bill Wells gave me his phone number and I rang him to see if he was keen for an interview for my Cambridge Air Force website but he declined. That was in 2003. I know he has attended 485 Sqn reunions in the recent past, is he still around? Has anyone got a contact number for him? Maybe I should try him again.
Cambridge produced a fair few of No. 485 Squadron's pilots and members for a small town. Bill Wells, Eric Shaw, Don Taylor, Vic Hall, Russ Clarke (just north of Cambridge but on the cusp ofthe Cambridge district), and after the war also the home of Ken McDonald.
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Post by Andy Wright on Jan 5, 2011 22:28:03 GMT 12
Brilliant stuff, McFly. Love the recreations.
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Post by McFly on Jan 6, 2011 7:06:57 GMT 12
The 70th (and probably last official) No 485 (NZ) Squadron reunion will be held over the weekend 26-27 Feb 2011 in Auckland and hosted again by 485 Wing at RNZAF Whenuapai. Intent is to all meet up on the Saturday afternoon at the Base where an ‘Aerial Symphony’ will be performed with two Spitfires and a Mustang for the reunion pilots and families. A formal dinner in the Officers Mess will follow in the evening for a rousing finale to the days events and a low key BBQ lunch for all on the Sunday at one of the pilots houses.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 6, 2011 10:48:02 GMT 12
Great stuff, the veterans will love that air display.
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Post by McFly on Jan 7, 2011 11:00:13 GMT 12
Another event that was held in parallel with the official room naming ceremony of S/L Reg Grant at the 485 Wing HQ was an invite extended to the latest recipient of the ‘Reg & Ian Grant Memorial Cup’ and the cup itself. The Memorial Cup was presented to Mt Albert Grammar School in 1945 by Reg and Ian’s family and was inscribed for the Open Sprints Champion; it has been awarded every year since. Both Reg and Ian were noted athletes in their time at the school. The brothers stories and losses are outlined below:In November 1942 Reg Grant’s younger brother, Ian, was posted to No 485 (NZ) Squadron. The Squadron took off for a sweep across northern France on 13 February 1943 and shortly after crossing the French coast a force of Fw 190s was sighted and engaged. However, a further twenty German fighters attacked and three Spitfires, including Ian Grant’s, were shot down. Reg Grant saw his brother shot down and killed and was subsequently able to engage and shoot down the Fw 190 which had carried out the attack on Ian Grant.
On 28 February 1944, Reg Grant took off in a Mustang for a sortie across the Channel, however shortly after take off and in cloud, his engine failed and caught fire. On coming out of cloud he baled out but was too low for his parachute to open properly and was killed at the age of 29.Albert Nikoro from Mt Albert Grammar School was awarded the cup in 2010 for the best all round athletics results, and it was 485 Wings privilege to have him attend the room naming ceremony. Albert had the opportunity to learn a lot about Reg Grant and why he was selected to have a room named after him as well as being able to talk directly to a few of the pilots who flew with both Reg and Ian (Ian Grant was Doug Brown's wingman when shot down) It was also pointed out by Doug Brown that the brass Spitfire mounted on the top of the cup would have been made from a cannon shell casing by one of Reg's ground crew and presented to him. (Photos RNZAF official)
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