No. 488 (NZ) Squadron Reunions

[Dave Homewood]

I have three photos which I scanned from the collection of my friend, the now late Wing Commander Ron Watts. Ron was the last CO of No. 488 (NZ) Squadron, joining the unit as a normal pilot on the tail end of the Beaufighter days and working his way to the top in the Mosquito era.

He was from Cambridge and his really fascinating memories of the war as an instructor and then a night fighter pilot are on my website. But till now i didn't pay a lot of attention to these three photos. Ron told me thy were taken in the 1990's or perhaps late 1980's and show aircrew members of No. 488 (NZ) Squadron meeting up on at least two occasions. Ron said they never had regular reunions as most of the squadron guys lived in England and elsewhere, but if anyone was visiting NZ they'd get as many of the NZ based guys together for a meet up.

I'd love to know who the other aircrew are in the photos. Now of course i cannot ask Ron as he's no longer with us. So I thought I'd post these here on the off chance someone recognises a face.

This one I believe is a separate and earlier occasion from the following two photos, and I think form memory the chap on the left was visiting and he may have been one of the French or maybe Dutch pilots? Ron is on the right and I think the centre chap was based in Auckland, and you'll note he appears in all three photos too.


This one has Ron on the left


Ron Watts is second from left.


I'll bet a few stories could have been told that day!

[Dave Homewood]

I now know that the chap in the second photo, second from right (the tallest chap) is John Gard'ner.

[pjw4118]

In the second photo Reg Mitchell is 2nd from the left, while in the third photo he is 1st on the list.I will send him a print so he may name the others.
Reg came with us to Tauranga on the Dakota and is very much alive, but he thinks that he is the last pilot of 488 alive.
Graham Clayton, also on the trip is writing a history of 488s European service having published a book on their Singapore experience.

[Dave Homewood]

Not the last, John Gard'ner is also alive and was at the same table as Reg Mitchell so I assume he now nows he's not the last. I interviewed John last week by the way. Graham was sitting at the same table as me too btw.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for putting his name to face, I didn't get a good look at Reg last week, Graham pointed him out but I saw him from the back only. So Reg is the one with the moustache then, far right in the last photo?

[pjw4118]

Sorry for my lisp , Reg is first on the left in the third photo

[Dave Homewood]

Ah right, sorry, I'm with you now.

The chap with the Moustache reminds me of the Major from Fawlty Towers.

[pjw4118]

I rang Reg.In the third photo, left to right
Reg, Ron Watts, Tony Thompson (nav for John Mackie) and Kris Blotman.
Kris was Dutch and the ony non Kiwi on the squadron.Got a DFC , flew KLM postwar and is still alive. Taken in Tauranga 1991
The second photo left to right
Ron Watts , Reg mitchell, Kris Blotman, John Gard ner, Tony Thompson.
The lady is John Gard ners wife. Also taken at Tauranga in 1991.

.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Peter, that is excellent. I really appreciate that info. Yes I thought in the back of my mind that Ron had said there was a Dutch pilot visiting, which is why they got together.

[pjw4118]

Reg tells me that he is off to Ohakea on Monday , courtesy of the RNZAF to attend the opening of the 488 Wing based there. I have sent him the earlier photo for names.

[Dave Homewood]

It is good to hear they will have a genuine 488 man there as a representative.

Actually I interviewed another pilot, Ron Reid, on the same day as I saw John Gard'ner who was also posted to No. 488 Squadron. however the earlier incarnation on Buffaloes. But on arrival he was told they had too many new pilots and he wasn't wanted so he was sent off to No. 36 Squadron on Vildebeests instead and never flew the Buffaloes, for which he's very grateful.

[McFly]

Some photos from the formation of 488 Wing at RNZAF Ohakea on the 8th of December last year.

No 488 (NZ) Squadron veterans from the two WW2 theaters it operated in (Pacific and European) were present as guests of honour.

From left: Jim Cromie - Ted West - Burt Clayton - Reg Mitchell - Ray Gager


Reg Mitchell leads the group out to present the 488 (NZ) Sqn pounamu patu to the new OC of 488 Wing.


Reg Mitchell presents Group Captain Darryn Webb (OC 488 Wing) with an original 488 (NZ) Sqn crest on fabric.


(Photos – RNZAF official).

[Dave Homewood]

Great photos, thanks for those!