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Post by aaronpacker on Mar 29, 2017 17:43:24 GMT 12
Hi, not sure if this is right place to ask but I am trying to learn about my deceased grandfather. His service number is NZ412361 and he was never spoken of after his passing.
I have some of his personal effects including badges from RNZAF and would like to know a little about him.
I am aware I can go through NZDF archives and will do that but hoping I can learn something before I begin this process.
thanks in advance.
Aaron Packer
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Post by errolmartyn on Mar 29, 2017 19:01:39 GMT 12
Hi, not sure if this is right place to ask but I am trying to learn about my deceased grandfather. His service number is NZ412361 and he was never spoken of after his passing. I have some of his personal effects including badges from RNZAF and would like to know a little about him. I am aware I can go through NZDF archives and will do that but hoping I can learn something before I begin this process. thanks in advance. Aaron Packer NZ412361 Charles Andrew Patrick Steans enlisted at Levin as an 'air gunner' (but actually wireless operator/air gunner) under training on 13 Apr 41 Born 18 Dec 21 Embarked Achilles at Auckland 20 Oct 41 Disembarked Suva 23 Oct 41 Transhipped to Mariposa at Suva Arrived San Francisco 4 Nov 41 Thence by train to Canada via Vancouver for further training Of the 28 in his group on the Achilles 13 did not survive the war and 2 others became PoWs. Steans appears in a group photo of trainees taken in Canada that appears on page 20 of The Weekly News of 1 Apr 42 (the Air Force Museum of New Zealand could provide you with a scan of same for a small fee) Your grandfather was the only Steans in the RNZAF in WWII. He may have been related to W5078 Sylvia Emily Steans, who was the only Steans in the WAAF in WWII, who enlisted at Wigram on 23 Mar 43? That's all I have in my own records. The service file held by Personnel Records, NZDF, is what you really need in order to proceed further. Errol |
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Post by aaronpacker on Mar 29, 2017 19:29:36 GMT 12
Thank you so much. In that post I have learned a lot, explains the Canada engraved hip flask with his badges.
Will proceed with the NZDF archives now.
Thank you
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Post by lifeboatadam on Apr 3, 2017 6:47:29 GMT 12
I used the NZDF archive service last year and was amazed by the quality of information supplied at no cost. I even got an apology for the time it took them to process my request. The UK National Archive could learn a lot from the NZDF!
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