davem2
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by davem2 on May 16, 2012 9:45:51 GMT 12
All
Been asked to try and find out some further info on this pilot, particularly if he has any surviving relatives. A long shot, but I will call the 8 'Orrs' listed in Lower Hutt......otherwise, any thoughts?
TIA Dave
ORR, JOHN HAMILTON Rank: Sergeant Service No: 414329 Date of Death: 21/03/1943 Age: 21 Regiment/Service: Royal New Zealand Air Force 260 (R.A.F.) Sqdn Panel Reference Column 278. Memorial ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of Robert Richard Orr and of Myra Kinniburgh Orr (nee Hill), of Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand.
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Post by errolmartyn on May 16, 2012 10:36:15 GMT 12
Dave, Orr appears in Volume Two (Fates 1943-1998) of my trilogy For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915: Sun 21 Mar 1943 MEDITERRANEAN AIR COMMAND Escorting Baltimores to 3 miles NW of Mareth (target ref [T]Z4718), Tunisia 260 Squadron, RAF (Medanine, Tunisia - 239 Wing, 211 Group, Northwest African Tactical Air Force) Kittyhawk III FL719(?) - took off at 1335 and last seen crossing the coast on the return journey, having encountering intense heavy flak near the target. The pilot is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial. Take-off may have been from the Nefatia Landing Ground, the Squadron being in the process of moving from there to Medanine at the time. Pilot: NZ414329 Sgt John Hamilton ORR, RNZAF - Age 21. 357hrs. 6th op. And Vol Three (biographies and appendices): ORR, Sergeant John Hamilton. NZ414329; b Lower Hutt 13 Sep 21; Hutt Valley HS; clerk - Catts-Patterson Ltd, advertising agents, Wgtn. NZ Army/TF 7 mths; RNZAF Levin/ITW as Airman Pilot u/t 27 Jul 41, 4EFTS 7 Sep 41, 3FTS 18 Oct 41, Pilots Badge [wef 29.11.41] & Sgt 10 Jan 42, att RAF & emb for UK 30 Jan 42, 3PRC 14 Mar 42, 9(P)AFU 20 Apr 42, 57OTU (Hurricane) 9 Jun 42, 2PDC 20 Sep 42, emb for Sierra Leone 28 Sep 42, arr 16 Oct 42, Transit Camp Lagos, by air to Egypt via Sudan e.Nov 42, 22PTC 15 Nov 42, 1METS (fighters) 5 Dec 42, 2ADU (fighters?) 15 Dec 42, 239 Wing Trg Flt (Kittyhawk) 23 Jan 43, 260 Sqn (Kittyhawk - 6 ops) 23 Feb 43, kao 21 Mar 43. Alamein Memorial - Column 278. Son of Robert Richard & Myra Kinniburgh Orr (née Hill), Lower Hutt. [phot. TWN 9.6.43]. You also could request a free photocopy of the papers that survive on his RNZAF service record. See here for details www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/Another avenue to explore, in search of relatives or friends, is to post a request under the Lost Trail column of the Returned Services Association magazine - RSA Review. You can contact the editor at dion@waterfordpress.co.nz Errol
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davem2
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by davem2 on May 16, 2012 14:12:00 GMT 12
Errol
Many thanks for that, most appreciated. Will follow up accordingly.
Dave
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Post by oggie2620 on May 30, 2012 9:26:56 GMT 12
Might also be contacting Peter Wheeler at NZBCA as though they are Bomber Command they have taken on the Fighter etc people too...
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ash10
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
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Post by ash10 on Oct 14, 2012 8:50:09 GMT 12
I am also interested in Sgt Orr but I would like to find out what aircraft number he was flying when he went missing in 1943. Is this possible? I have the Air 27 for his flight but no aircraft numbers are listed where would these be documented and can i get a copy from somewhere? I see above that Kittyhawk III FL719 is mentioned but from other records it comes up as
9776 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FL719. Wrecked when forcelanded in desert Mar 31, 1943 after being hit by friendly flak. Date is out by 10 days pretty close maybe a typo??
My aim is to find out about this aircraft 36209 to RAF as ET855. Missing from bomber escort mission to Mareth Mar 21, 1943
Thanks for any info Ash
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Post by errolmartyn on Oct 14, 2012 10:50:05 GMT 12
FL719 appears on Post Presumption Memorandum No.4018/48 dated 13 Aug 48 and on a letter to Orr's next of kin dated 10 Sep 48. Both documents are held on Orr's RNZAF service record at Personnel Records, New Zealand Defence Force.
Errol
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Post by orrbodies on Jul 4, 2014 23:31:49 GMT 12
I have a copy of the last page of his logbook in which it has the following information. Entry dated 20th of March 1943, Aircraft Kitty III No. FL884, Pilot - Self, Duty - Bomber Escort, Note - Sgt Orr did not return from this trip. Was last seen over the sea on the way back to base apparently OK.
I also have a copy of an email from Michel Lavigne which contains the following quote from his book, Kittyhawks over the Sands "from the latter sortie, Sergeant John H. Orr, a New Zealander and one of the newcomers, vanished without a trace. He was probably the victim of Oberleutnant Siegfreid Freytag of Stab II/JG-77, who claimed a Spitfire for his 88th victory of the war. He probably misidentified this victim."
Tom
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2014 22:15:12 GMT 12
Welcome Tom. Are you a relative of John Orr?
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Post by orrbodies on Jul 6, 2014 21:41:34 GMT 12
Yes, I believe he was my fathers cousin. My father is 91 and still living in Lower Hutt.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 7, 2014 0:12:34 GMT 12
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Post by orrbodies on Jul 8, 2014 15:48:28 GMT 12
Not as far as I know, but I will double check with Dad on the possibility of a distant relationship. Dads Dad Robert Orr was in France and served in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade and was "lucky" enough to be wounded and shipped back home, but did spend the rest of his life using two walking sticks.
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bobbij
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
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Post by bobbij on May 25, 2015 21:11:46 GMT 12
Hi. I know these posts are from a while ago however I am a relative of John and have some of his personal effects. I tried to find info on him myself a few years ago but didn't get too far. I'd be interested in why he has sparked interest in you all and what info you've found about him?
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