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Post by ErrolC on Dec 11, 2012 20:44:59 GMT 12
notices.nzherald.co.nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/obituary.aspx?n=ralph-cocklin&pid=161627586#fbLoggedOutCOCKLIN, Ralph. NZD2787 Lt (A) RNZNVR Fleet Air Arm Sqdns 816, 836 WWII. On 9th December 2012 (after a short illness) at Hamilton. Aged 93 years. Dearly loved husband of Mary (Mollie) Cocklin. Loved father of Barry, Alan and Chris. Special grandfather to all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. "I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings" A special thanks to the staff of Trevellyn for all of their care. A celebration of Ralph's life will be held at the Hamilton Park Crematorium Chapel, Morrinsville Road, Newstead on Saturday 15th December at 2.00pm. Flowers appreciated or a donation to Kidney Health NZ, 230 Antigua St, Christchurch 8011 and may also be left at the service. Correspondence may be directed to the Cocklin family C/- PO Box 276, Hamilton 3240. Philip Woolerton Funeral Services
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Post by Andy Wright on Dec 12, 2012 9:22:35 GMT 12
Clifford Herbert Thoms (Pilot Officer RNZAF 4215105) My grandfather, passed away peacefully on the 27th November. A World War Two Catalina pilot, my grandfather had enlisted in 1941 and arrived in Canada for training just after his 19th birthday. After training he was put onto Catalinas and served in the RAF Coastal Command. Not one to talk about the war fondly, there were the odd occasions where he would talk about some of his service. Some of his wartime colleagues were able to make the funeral which was nice and pass on their experiences training in Canada before going onto Mosquitos and Hurricanes. Although keen to keep flying, his close friend Fred Sawyer tried to get him to try topdressing, however he did not take up this offer and remained on the family farm which was located in Papakura/Drury where the Parkhaven estate is now. A great grandfather and I was very lucky to enjoy his company for some of his 89 years here. I had the privilege of reading John Magee Jrs poem High Flight at the service which I think summarised the fact he always had one eye on the sky. My condolences, Mike. A great man and one who clearly passed on his love of aviation to you. Don't know if you'll be interested or not but there's a new book coming out in the new year called Catalina Over Arctic Oceans (Pen & Sword) which will give you a good Coastal Command 'fix'.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 12, 2012 9:33:09 GMT 12
I am sorry for your loss Mike. I wish I had known about him a few months ago when I was seeking Mosquito pilots for the Ardmore event. Did he make it along to that?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 12, 2012 11:49:21 GMT 12
BROWN, Raymond Gordon Williams (also known as Raymond Williams-Brown). 447827 2NZEF Gnr, 438381 RNZAF LAC Passed away peacefully at North Shore Hospital on 29th November 2012. Loved husband of the late Patricia. Loved father of Maurice and Lynn, Coral and David, and the late Bryan. Step-father of Bronwynne. Grandfather of Denny and Michelle, Kym and Elizabeth, Tony and Christine. Great grandfather of Steven, Nathan, Jennifer and Charlotte, Michelle, Suzy and Rachel. A Memorial Service for Raymond will be held at the Silverdale and Districts RSA, 43a Vipond Road, Silverdale at 10am on Friday 14 December 2012. All communications to Maurice, 021-1399126
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Post by errolmartyn on Dec 12, 2012 13:02:26 GMT 12
"Clifford Herbert Thoms (Pilot Officer RNZAF 4215105)"
When transferred to the Reserve on 7 March 1946 he actually held the rank of Flying Officer, having been promoted from pilot officer on 5 November 1944.
Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 13, 2012 16:42:51 GMT 12
SPARROW, Robert (Bob) Cuthbert. Regtl No. NZ 4211126 RNZAF WWII On Tuesday 11th December 2012, in his 90th year. Lifelong husband and partner of Joyce. Loved father of Paul and Debbie, David and Lilian, Peter (deceased) and Susan, Robert and Rhonda. Treasured Grandpa of 12 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren. Loved only son of the late Walter and Julia. Loved brother in law of Margaret and the late Ted Walsh. A funeral service for Bob will be held in the chapel of Brent Willetts Funeral Services Ltd, 21 King Street, Whakatane on Monday 17 December at 11am, followed by burial in the Returned Services Section of Hillcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations would be appreciated to Glaucoma NZ Department of Ophthalmology The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142 or may be left at the service. Messages to the Sparrow family C/- PO Box 2070, Whakatane
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 14, 2012 9:34:40 GMT 12
JACKSON, Lloyd James. Service No. NZ391955 RNZAF WWII. On 3 December 2012 aged 95. Dearly loved husband of the late Dorothy. Much loved father and father-in-law of Campbell and Judy (Perth), Anthony and Karen, Marie and Michael. Loved Granddad of Donna, Georgina and William. Our heartfelt thanks to the Staff of Ryman Village. Will be sadly missed. A private Family Service has been held.
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Post by mstokes on Dec 16, 2012 12:14:20 GMT 12
Thankyou Dave for your kind words and thankyou Errol for that information. We know very little about his wartime career so any information is greatly appreciated. We have already found the AFU unit he was flying at in Weston on Green in Oxford so my mum plans to visit it when she is in the UK next year.
Dave, my grandfather was only ever on Catalinas, but some of his colleagues who came to the service were pilots on Hurricanes and Mosquitos. I wish I could have had a bit of time to gather some more stories or information from them but it was a bit of a hectic occasion. They might have already been some of the veterans that you had present.
It would have been nice to have Granddad pass on some of his stories, however he was quite reserved on those matters and only really passed on any information after a few whiskeys!
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Post by errolmartyn on Dec 16, 2012 14:21:08 GMT 12
Thankyou Dave for your kind words and thankyou Errol for that information. We know very little about his wartime career so any information is greatly appreciated. We have already found the AFU unit he was flying at in Weston on Green in Oxford so my mum plans to visit it when she is in the UK next year. Dave, my grandfather was only ever on Catalinas, but some of his colleagues who came to the service were pilots on Hurricanes and Mosquitos. I wish I could have had a bit of time to gather some more stories or information from them but it was a bit of a hectic occasion. They might have already been some of the veterans that you had present. It would have been nice to have Granddad pass on some of his stories, however he was quite reserved on those matters and only really passed on any information after a few whiskeys! If you have not already done so, you could request a free copy of his RNZAF service record from Personnel Records, NZDF, Trentham. For further info see www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 17, 2012 15:24:14 GMT 12
ANDREWS, Graham Edwin. On Saturday 15th December 2012. RNZAF 79240. Loving husband of Jean, devoted Daddy to Lee, Chris and John. Cherished grandad and Ticky Tick to Sam, Nick, Fleur, Michael, Ashley, Libby, Jamie, Aimee and to his five great grandchildren. ' Tight lines, screaming reels and tales that never end. ' Special thanks go to St John Ambulance, Hospice and Rotorua Hospital staff for their care and support. The service for Graham will be held on Wednesday 19th December 2012 at the Crematorium Chapel, Sala Street Rotorua at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Hospice. All communications to PO Box 1472, Rotorua.
JOHNSON, Frederick Thomas John (Fred). 1/12/1067 Trp - LAC 443296 RNZAF WW2 Pacific. Late of Youngs Road, Papakura. Passed away peacefully after a brief illness at Tana Lodge, Takanini on 13 December 2012, in his 90th year. Much loved husband of the late Betty Johnson. Father of Raewyn, Beverley and Pauline. His funeral service will be held in Grahams Funeral Home, Kitchener Road, Waiuku at 11:00am on Monday 17 December 2012 followed by interment at the Waiuku Cemetery. "This is Z1 BUP over and out."
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2012 9:54:16 GMT 12
JOHNSON, Eric Joseph. Service No: 44523 RNZAF LAC. WWII On December 20, 2012 peacefully at Whangarei surrounded by his family; Aged 87 years. Dearly loved husband of Dorothy. Much loved father and father in law of Alan and Danuta, Lynette and Don, Pamela and Roly, Jackie (deceased) and Rae, Kerry and the late Max. Cherished Poppa to all his grand children and great grand children. A service for Eric will be held in the chapel of Morris and Morris funerals ( entrance 17 Western Hills Drive) Whau Valley, Whangarei on Saturday (tomorrow) December 22, 2012 at 10.30 am, followed by burial at Maunu Park Cemetery. All communications to the Johnson family, c/- PO Box 8043, Kensington, Whangarei 0145
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 22, 2012 7:34:36 GMT 12
MILLAR, Bertram James (Bert) NZ72348, LAC, RNZAF of Palmerston North (formerly of Taradale) - Peacefully at Aronhanui Hospice, on December 18, 2012, aged 86 years. .... Messages to Miller Family c/- PO Box 5191, Palmerston North 4441 or may be left at www.robertjcotton.co.nz. A celebration of Bert's life will be held in the Terracehaven Chapel, 697 Main Street, Palmerston North tomorrow, (Friday) December 21, 2012 at 1.30 pm. PIERARD, Anthony George (Tony). NZ42672, FLT LT RNZAF. DFC and mentioned in Dispatches 1939-45 of Palmerston North - On Tuesday December 18, 2012 (peacefully at home. In his 91st year. Messages to PO Box 5349, Palmerston North 4441. A service to celebrate Tony's life will be held at All Saints Anglican Church, Church Street, Palmerston North on Thursday December 27, 2013 at 1 pm.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 22, 2012 7:35:31 GMT 12
I'm really sad to see Tony Pierard has passed away, a really nice gentleman and a very interesting fighter pilot who did six Pacific tours in WWII !!
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Post by errolmartyn on Dec 22, 2012 10:27:49 GMT 12
MILLAR, Bertram James (Bert) NZ72348, LAC, RNZAF of Palmerston North (formerly of Taradale) - Peacefully at Aronhanui Hospice, on December 18, 2012, aged 86 years. .... Messages to Miller Family c/- PO Box 5191, Palmerston North 4441 or may be left at www.robertjcotton.co.nz. A celebration of Bert's life will be held in the Terracehaven Chapel, 697 Main Street, Palmerston North tomorrow, (Friday) December 21, 2012 at 1.30 pm. PIERARD, Anthony George (Tony). NZ42672, FLT LT RNZAF. DFC and mentioned in Dispatches 1939-45 of Palmerston North - On Tuesday December 18, 2012 (peacefully at home. In his 91st year. Messages to PO Box 5349, Palmerston North 4441. A service to celebrate Tony's life will be held at All Saints Anglican Church, Church Street, Palmerston North on Thursday December 27, 2013 at 1 pm. Millar appears to have been in and out of the RNZAF a good number times. I can't recall anyone else with so many service numbers within the one service: NZ442208, enlisted 14 Apr 44 as an ACH (GD) NZ461198, enlisted ex Reserve 21 Jun 46 as an ACH (GD) NZ48342, enlisted ex Reserve 23 Jun 48 as an MT Driver Renumbered as 72348 in Jan 1949 Tony Pierard's service number, above, is a digit out. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999: PIERARD, Flight Lieutenant Anthony George, DFC, mid. NZ42673 & 130570; Born Wellington, 17 Jun 1922; NZ Army (NZA) 1 Jul 1941 to 10 Jan 1942, 2/17A/44; RNZAF 22 Jan 1942 to 26 Dec 1945, Res. to 31 Dec 1957; Pilot. Citation Mention in Despatches (16 Mar 1945): [15 and 16 Sqns (Kittyhawk) & 20 Sqn RNZAF (Corsair)] For meritorious service - this officer, who has completed three tours in the Solomons has developed into a competent and reliable section leader. He has seen considerable action, both in aerial combat and in ground strafing, and has destroyed one enemy aircraft.Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (22 Mar 1946): By his outstanding service as a fighter pilot in five tours of duty in the Pacific during which he has destroyed a Japanese dive-bomber and led his Section with distinction against a series of ground targets, this officer has established a fine record of gallantry and devotion to duty. He has participated in major operations from Guadalcanal to Rabaul and has completed 172 operational missions in 370 flying hours. Flight Lieutenant Pierard, both in attack and defence, has shown exceptional qualities of leadership, and his aggressive and determined tactics have contributed to the high standard achieved by the units with which he has flown. he is an exceptional fighter pilot and fighter-bomber leader whose enthusiasm to press home attacks has resulted in substantial loss to the enemy. Flt Lt Pierard’s last two tours were flown as a Flt Cdr with 17 Sqn RNZAF (Corsair). Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 22, 2012 10:30:44 GMT 12
Although that citation states he did five tours, he actually did another, that was not a full tour as he was brought in as a replacement. So he basically did six tours. Before that he flew Hinds with No. 20 Squadron, and was the last known pilot from that squadron on the Hinds.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 24, 2012 9:47:57 GMT 12
WILLIAMS, A L (Mac). JP. QSO. The last of the New Zealand genuine Cape Horners. RNVR. 2882616 "D Coy" 2nd Batt. London Scottish Rifles. WWII. R204410 M.N. North Atlantic WWII. NZ4211406 RNZAF. Multi's Pilot. Died peacefully 19 December, 2012; Aged 98 years. Dearly loved and devoted husband of Pat for nearly 66 years. The most wonderful father that children could possibily wish for, of Michael (Ngaroma), Elaina, and Julie, and grandpa to Andrew and Danica and Matthew, Janet, and Anna (London). Grateful thanks to the Doctors and Nursing Staff (Special Angels) at Mercy Hospice. A Service to be held 2pm today, All Saints Chapel, Purewa Cemetery, St Johns Road Meadowbank. The best and most loyal friend, our Dad, what a man. Michael.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 24, 2012 9:49:07 GMT 12
Full Name = Alfred Lorraine Williams
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 26, 2012 13:01:23 GMT 12
BLOMFIELD, Anita May (Tui). (Service No W2531 LAC RNZAF WW11). Peacefully at Thames Hospital on December 24, 2012; aged 91 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Owen (Lofty), loved mother of Liz and Doug McLaren, Mike and Christine, and Brigette Hughes. Special friend of Peter, Janet and Hayden. Beloved Granma of Denise, Nathaniel, Jayden, Jocy and Craig. Gran and Great Gran to India, Quinn and Dylan. Old gardeners don't die, they just compost. A celebration of Tui's life will be held at Twentymans Grahamstown Chapel, Kirkwood Street, Thames on Friday December 28 at 1pm followed by a private cremation. Messages to 105 Cora Place, Thames.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 26, 2012 13:09:22 GMT 12
For those who may have suspected that the Owen "Lofty" Blomfield referred to above was the very famous New Zealand professional wrestler of that name, it's not. He was Meynell Strathmore "Lofty" Blomfield.
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Post by errolmartyn on Dec 26, 2012 16:23:25 GMT 12
BLOMFIELD, Anita May (Tui). (Service No W2531 LAC RNZAF WW11). Peacefully at Thames Hospital on December 24, 2012; aged 91 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Owen (Lofty), loved mother of Liz and Doug McLaren, Mike and Christine, and Brigette Hughes. Special friend of Peter, Janet and Hayden. Beloved Granma of Denise, Nathaniel, Jayden, Jocy and Craig. Gran and Great Gran to India, Quinn and Dylan. Old gardeners don't die, they just compost. A celebration of Tui's life will be held at Twentymans Grahamstown Chapel, Kirkwood Street, Thames on Friday December 28 at 1pm followed by a private cremation. Messages to 105 Cora Place, Thames. Enlisted 24 Jan 42 as Miss Anita May Monkley. Errol
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