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Post by smithy on Jan 4, 2017 21:28:26 GMT 12
Happy New Year all.
Quick question, does anyone know what this officer did after the war? He returned to NZ after the war and died 17th March 1993. Did he stay on in the RNZAF?
Thanks,
Tim
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2017 22:14:35 GMT 12
Hi Tim, long time, no see. Happy New Year!
James Porteous remained in the RNZAF till 12th of January 1946.
He then joined the RAF on 11th of December 1947, and served with that service till 1953.
After that, not sure.
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Post by smithy on Jan 4, 2017 22:27:29 GMT 12
G'day Dave and seasons greetings, thanks for the info!
You're right it has been awhile, I'll blame it on the joys of two small nippers and moving country yet again ;-)
So Porteous returned to the UK eh, I wonder if he settled there after the RAF or returned to NZ? All I have is that date of death, not place. You don't happen to know what permanent rank he left the RAF with do you?
Cheers,
Tim
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2017 22:37:17 GMT 12
He died in Auckland. He was a Squadron Leader at the end of his service.
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Post by smithy on Jan 4, 2017 22:38:45 GMT 12
Many thanks Dave, that's just what I was after.
Tim
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2017 22:39:03 GMT 12
The small obit in NZ Wings magazine does not add any details after his RAF service.
He was a member of the RNZAF Reserve from 22 July 1953 till 4th of November 1971. I am guessing he must have returned to NZ immediately following his demob from the RAF.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2017 22:43:24 GMT 12
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Post by smithy on Jan 4, 2017 23:02:21 GMT 12
Many thanks Dave, excellent stuff!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2017 23:17:04 GMT 12
Jim Porteous married Mary Joyce Porteous in 1940 and their home was at 126 Great North Road, New Lynn, while he was away fighting - they'd only been married a few days before he left for Britain apparently. However this report from the NEW ZEALAND HERALD, on 1st of September 1945, shows they were one of many couples that the war destoryed:
"ORDERS TO RETURN
ATTITUDE OF A WIFE
COMMENT MADE BY JUDGE
"This is an extraordinary case," remarked Mr Justice Cornish yesterday when hearing an application for an order for restitution of conjugal rights by a returned serviceman. The petitioner, James Kerrow Porteous (Mr Cocker), said he was a squadron leader in the R.N.Z.A.F. He was married in 1940 and lived a few days with his wife before he went overseas on service. He returned to New Zealand in March this year. After he had been away about three years his wife wrote saying it was becoming difficult to carry on alone and asked him to come home. She then decided to go into business to make herself independent.
"She met me at the station when I returned," said petitioner, "but she felt there was little between us after these years. I persuaded her to come back but after about a fortnight my wife' said she had grown so independent that she could not settle down to married life. She has gone back to her parents and is running her business."
His Honor made an order for respondent's return in 28 days."
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Post by smithy on Jan 4, 2017 23:33:16 GMT 12
Very, very sad. You often forget that so many relationships and marriages were a big casualty of the war. That Herald article is a poignant reminder.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 5, 2017 0:39:27 GMT 12
Indeed. Another thing so often forgotten is how many men returned and then suffered huge breakdowns once back home, and they ended up locked away in institutions for the rest of their lives, or they committed suicide. I know of several cases I have come across, one a fighter ace who died in a metal institution, one a famous bomber pilot who was in charge of a famous crew who took his own life, another a much respected Battalion Commander who one day simply couldn't go on, collapsed on the battlefield and came home a basket case, to die in a mental hospital. I have heard of several others too. The coming of peace did not bring peace to everyone, sadly.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jan 5, 2017 12:46:51 GMT 12
Kerrow relinquished his RAF commission on 19 Dec 52 (though not announced in the 'London Gazette' until 13 Oct 52). He was a flight lieutenant at that time. His postwar flying with the RAF included service with 32 Sqn in the Middle East.
More about his flying career can be found in Colin Hanson's 'By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999' and on his freely available service record held by Personnel Records, NZDF. The latter includes a document that lists his honours and awards as the DFC and an mid. The mid, however, is wrongly credited there as it was Flt Lt John Alexander Porteous who was granted this mention, not James Kerrow Porteous.
Errol
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Post by smithy on Jan 5, 2017 20:57:51 GMT 12
Thanks Errol!
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Post by takapuna on Oct 12, 2017 3:57:32 GMT 12
My mother was bridesmaid at the wedding of Jim Porteus and Mary Stitchbury (moms cousin) in the mid 1950's after Jim had returned to New Zealand. I am under the impression they had met in London while he was in the RAF and while Mary was on holiday from New Zealand. They had a daughter (Louise) and two sons. As previously posted he passed away in 1993. I am not aware of the earlier marriage mentioned.
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beamo
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
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Post by beamo on Mar 13, 2018 10:48:00 GMT 12
Hello All,
I believe I knew James ( Jim) Porteus in the 1970s/80s working in Auckland as a Property Valuer.
I knew nothing of his background during our association but in my Semi retirement I came across a write up of his war experience.
I found Jim very helpful and humble. A very nice bloke who went the extra mile.
Regards
Neil Black
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