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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Nov 14, 2010 21:23:36 GMT 12
My Mum's older brother, Bruce Hunter, passed away at 6am this morning. Uncle Bruce was in his 90s. He was a bomber pilot in the RAF during WWII and flew Short Sterlings. I know he completed at least two tours of duty, with the second tour being as a pathfinder pilot. However, I don't know which squadron he served with.
After returning from the war, he completed a medical degree and became a GP in Dannevirke. He eventually retired to Taupo.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 14, 2010 21:34:41 GMT 12
My condolences Bruce. RIP
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Post by Andy Wright on Nov 14, 2010 22:53:33 GMT 12
Sad news. He sounds like a fine man. You must have been a proud nephew.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 14, 2010 23:05:01 GMT 12
Bruce, if your uncle was Bruce Irving Hunter, born in Waipawa, on 10 Oct 1917, his service number was NZ391970 and he was awarded the DFC for flying Halifaxes with No. 51 Squadron. He achieved the rank of Flight Lieutenant. His citation reads:
"Flight Lieutenant Hunter has attacked successfuly some of the most important targets in enemy territory. He also lead his squadron on many daylight assaults on enemy objectives, always showing fine determination and spirit. On one occasion, when attacking Kiel, his aircraft sustained severe damage to the elevators and part of the port rudder was torn off. Heavy anti-aircraft fire holed one petrol tank. Showing exceptional skill and coolness, this officer extricated his aircraft from a very perilous situation and flew it safely to base. By his tenacity and courage he has contributed greatly to the success of his squadron."
Quite a hero!
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Nov 15, 2010 1:06:31 GMT 12
Yes, that's my uncle....Bruce Irving Hunter.
I had been under the impression he flew Stirlings, but that info came from my mother, so it was second-hand.
However, I know that Uncle Bruce completed his first tour of duty and that it was during that tour he was awarded the DFC. He then volunteered for a second tour of duty (as I understand did his entire crew) and they flew as pathfinders on the second tour.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 15, 2010 7:49:22 GMT 12
He would almost undoubtedly have flown Short Stirlings at the OTU before going to a squadron, and may well have flown operations on them too. The easiest way to find out is look at his logbook, if the family has it.
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Post by errolmartyn on Nov 15, 2010 10:28:34 GMT 12
Bruce, The full entry from Colin Hanson's 'By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999' reads: "HUNTER, Flight Lieutenant Bruce Irving, DFC. NZ391970; Born Waipawa, 10 Oct 1917; RNZAF 29 Dec 1939 to 31 Aug 1945; Wireless Operator (Ground), then Pilot. Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (17 Jul 1945): [51 Sqn RAF (Halifax)] Flight Lieutenant Hunter has attacked successfully some of the most important targets in enemy territory. He has also led his squadron on many daylight assaults on enemy objectives, always displaying fine determination and spirit. On one occasion, when attacking Kiel, his aircraft sustained severe damage to the elevators and part of the port rudder was torn off. Heavy anti-aircraft fire holed one petrol tank. Showing exceptional skill and coolness, this officer extricated his aircraft from a very perilous situation and flew it safely to base. By his tenacity and courage he has contributed greatly to the success achieved by his squadron." The date of the award suggests that the DFC was for his second tour, or perhaps a combination of both, rather than for the first alone. 51 Sqn, incidentally, was never a Path Finder Force unit, it's entire war was within 4 Group (a Halifax, not Stirling, outfit for most of the conflict). 4 Group was commanded by New Zealanders 'Mary' Coningham then 'Roddy' Carr. You should be able to discover his postings through his RNZAF service record, a photocopy of which can be freely obtained through Personnel Archives, NZDF. For further details see www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/Errol
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Nov 16, 2010 9:46:50 GMT 12
I found online references to my uncle's DFC award (an Evening Post notice) and his medical degree.... paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19450724.2.21shadowsoftime.co.nz/university12.htmlBruce Hunter's funeral is being held at Taupo tomorrow (Wednesday). I won't be able to attend, but my mother will be there. She and Bruce were very close. My uncle first worked for NZ Railways when he left school. He had to pass all of his exams in telegraphy, which included being able to send and receive morse at a fairly rapid rate. I presume that is why he was initially a radio operator in the RNZAF. However, he managed to get into pilot training school and ended up flying for Bomber Command in the RAF. He was already married when he enlisted, to a student nurse at Dannevirke Hospital. When he returned from the war, he enlisted at Otago Medical School and trained to become a doctor, working at a freezing works during university breaks, but also being supported by his wife, Lois, who was by then a qualified nurse, still at Danniverke Hospital. After my uncle qualified as a GP, he set up practise in Danniverke with his wife as practise nurse and receptionist. He was also a general surgeon at Dannevirke Hospital. When he retired from being a doctor (at the age of 60) he purchased a farm a few kilometres outside Dannevirke and went farming; however he still used to keep his hand in performing operations at Danniverke Hospital one or two days a week. I know they often used to joke to people that they had three surgeons working for them, plus a farmer who came in occasionally to perform operations when they were busy, which used to raise a few eyebrows with people who weren't in the know. Uncle Bruce's wife died of cancer several years ago and he remarried, then sold the farm and moved to Taupo. He suffered a stroke about three years ago which has caused him considerable difficulties, but he managed to get his driver's licence back about a year ago. However, he never flew again (as a pilot) after the war.
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Post by John L on Nov 16, 2010 17:44:06 GMT 12
How often do we see that....... My condolences. They're rapidly dwindling now, all the WW2 boys.....
My old man pegged out a couple of months ago the same age as Bruce, by the looks - he was in the army in the islands, but said managed to cadge a ride in a B25 once - replaced a waist gunner on a trip over Rabaul.........luckily, he said they didn't see any nip fighters.....
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 16, 2010 18:15:54 GMT 12
Jon, most of the WWII pilots never flew again because of the costs. Many of the veterans have said that to me. Having to pay for it rather than be paid to do it was quite a different thing when trying to rebuild a life and career I suppose.
I knew a guy who was in the Third Division in the Pacific, and he got to have a trip on a B-17 on a bombing raid as a tail gunner. He said that lots of the soldiers managed to get such flights. I guess they bartered for it with food or something.
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