Looking for Andy Anderson

[pwcl]

My father is Ken Wright, an Australian WW2 veteran who trained with the RAAF and flew as a Spitfire pilot with Photo Reconnaissance Unit 1 from Britain over Germany. He and I are visiting Wanaka in April to attend Warbirds over Wanaka, and during the trip Ken was hoping to get in touch with a NZ friend from the war.

His name is Andy Anderson (who Ken believes may have also been known as Wilbur). Dad travelled to the UK with Andy in 1942 and then met him again on the way back to Australia in 1945. Andy was a RNZAF pilot who flew in Coastal Command in the UK in a New Zealand Squadron. When he returned from the war in 1945 Andy was based in Wellington where Ken met him again.
Ken lost touch with him after that and is now wondering if Andy is still alive. If so, Ken would very much like to get in touch.

I would appreciate any information or suggestions anyone may have about Andy. My email address is [e-mail].

Peter Wright

[Dave Homewood]

Hi Peter,

No. 489 (NZ) Squadron was the only New Zealand Coastal Command squadron based in the UK. The only other CC Sqn was No. 490 Squadron which formed in the UK but moved almost immediately to West Africa.

If Mr Anderson was a member of No. 489 (NZ) Squadron, he is not a current member of their association.

[errolmartyn]

Peter,

I think this is the man that your father remembers.

Wilbert Anderson graduated as a pilot in New Zealand and embarked on the Rimutaka on 31 Aug 41 at Wellington and disembarked at Glasgow 18 Oct 41. 53 was a UK based Coastal Command squadron, though of course not one of the 'New Zealand' ones.

From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999 :

ANDERSON, Flying Officer Wilbert, DFC.
NZ411356 & 131577; Born Aberdeen, Scotland, 1 Mar 1920; RNZAF 2 Mar 1941 to 11 Mar 1945, Res. to 7 Feb 1957; Pilot.
Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (2 Jun 1944): [53 Sqn RAF (Liberator)] This Warrant Officer is a determined and able captain of aircraft, with a fine record of operational flying. He has taken part in three attacks on enemy submarines, on each occasion in the face of fierce enemy fire which caused considerable damage to his aircraft. In addition his vigilance as a patrol pilot resulted in the location of an enemy tanker. At all times Warrant Officer Anderson has displayed courage and skill worthy of the highest praise.
Official History records that during one sortie Fg Off Anderson attacked three U-boats sailing in ‘V’ formation on the surface. He attacked them and was hit by cannon and machine-gun fire. On his second attack he successfully depth-charged one on the outside of the formation. During pre D-Day operations he mounted several attacks on U-boats operating in areas from which they could have adversely affected the D-Day landings. Died Wellington, 2 Mar 1958, due to war service.

Errol

[pwcl]

That's definitely him. Thanks very much for your efforts Errol. The mystery is solved.

All the best

Peter Wright