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Post by lifeboatadam on Jun 18, 2014 2:31:36 GMT 12
Can anybody help me with Service details for Tohunga Richard Riwai NZ421764 before he was posted to 488(NZ) Squadron in December 1943?
Thanks,
Adam
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Post by errolmartyn on Jun 18, 2014 12:52:22 GMT 12
From For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices):
RIWAI, Flying Officer Tohunga Richard.
NZ421764; b Otaki 13 Sep 18; St Patrick's Coll, Silverstream (1st XV); clerk - Native Dept, Rotorua. RNZAF Rotorua/ITW as Airman Pilot u/t 7 Mar 42, 3EFTS 2 May 42, 1SFTS 29 Jul 42, Pilots Badge [wef 19.10.42] & Comm 19 Dec 42, att RAF & emb for UK 10 Jan 43, 11PD&RC 18 Mar 43, 12(P)AFU 11 [20?] May 43 [att 1530BATF 7-21 Aug], 60OTU (Mosquito) 3 Aug 43, 63OTU (Beaufighter?) 24 Aug 43, 488 Sqn RNZAF (Mosquito - 3 ops) 7 Dec 43, kao 21 Feb 44. Brookwood Military Cemetery - 2.K.2, Woking, Surrey, England. Son of Ripai & Pita Riwai, Rotorua; h of Katie Riwai (née Ratete) & f of 3 children, Rotorua [OHT2 & phot. TWN 29.3.44].
Errol
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Post by lifeboatadam on Jun 19, 2014 2:32:02 GMT 12
Thank Errol.
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Post by lifeboatadam on Jun 20, 2014 2:49:07 GMT 12
Errol - Could I ask for clarification on a couple of these bits of info?
Do you know where 11 PD&RC was based, and can you confirm other strings of research which suggests this was primarily a RAAF PD&RC?
What is 1530BATF that Riwai was attached to briefly in August '43?
Thanks,
Adam
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 20, 2014 10:17:21 GMT 12
No. 1530 Blind Approach Training Flight
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Post by errolmartyn on Jun 20, 2014 11:05:33 GMT 12
No. 1530 Blind Approach Training Flight Not 'Blind' but Beam. BAT Flights were first designated Blind Approach Training Flights but in October 1941 the 'Blind' was changed to Beam. 1530 BAT Flight, however, was not formed until August 1942, so was never at anytime 'Blind'. Errol |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 20, 2014 11:45:09 GMT 12
Ah, good point, thanks.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jun 20, 2014 13:20:14 GMT 12
Errol - Could I ask for clarification on a couple of these bits of info? Do you know where 11 PD&RC was based, and can you confirm other strings of research which suggests this was primarily a RAAF PD&RC? Adam, RNZAF personnel arriving UK until 28 Feb 41 were normally first posted to 1 RAF Depôt at Uxbridge. On that date 3 Personnel Reception Centre (3PRC) was formed at Uxbridge and this unit then became RNZAF personnel’s first destination. On 25 Jun 41 3PRC moved to Bournemouth. On 1 Oct 42 3PRC was disbanded and Bournemouth then became simply ‘The RAAF PRC’ and ‘The RNZAF PRC’. The RAAF PRC was later redesignated 11 Personnel Despatch & Receiving Centre (11PDRC – or 11(RAAF)PDRC). The RNZAF PRC was later redesignated 12 Personnel Despatch & Receiving Centre (12PDRC – or 12(RNZAF)PDRC). On 31 May 43 both PDRCs moved from Bournemouth to Brighton. On 23 May 44 both PDRCs moved temporarily to Padgate (in advance of D-Day preparations on the south coast), returning to Brighton on 28 Aug 44 and remaining there until Jan 46. 12(RNZAF)PDRC then moved to Moreton Vallance (21 Jan 46), then to North Weald (11 Dec 46) before finally being disbanded on 31 Mar 47. All this from Ray Sturtivant’s magnum opus RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912.Having said that, entries on service records for RNZAF personnel often do not match up precisely with the above. It seems it took time for the changes to come through and clerical staff were not always up with the play. As an aside, it has always struck me as slightly odd that the Centres were eventually designated PDRC instead of PRDC. I would have thought it difficult to despatch personnel before one received them into one’s care in the first place. Errol |
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Post by lifeboatadam on Jun 21, 2014 1:33:10 GMT 12
Dave and Errol - Thanks both for your very informative replies. Through my blog, I have made contact with Rick Riwai's granddaughter, hence the particular interest in him.
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