Group Captain Arnold Wall, RAF - Photo Album

[agile]

I was recently loaned the private albums of the late Group Captain Arnold Wall, RAF, who was an old family friend. His daughter has very generously allowed me scan to scan and upload some photos that may be of interest.

The son of noted etymologist and botanist Professor Arnold Wall CBE, Arnold Wall was born in Christchurch, NZ in 1908 and attended Christ's College. In 1926 he joined the RAF, and in due course was posted to the North-West Frontier where he flew Westland Wapiti aircraft with 60 Sqn.

In 1931, while flying from Miranshah in present-day Pakistan, he was hit by a stone from a shanghai wielded by a goatherd. While he managed to land safely he lost his right eye, ending his flying career. Arnold remained in the RAF until after WWII, eventually rising to the rank of Group Captain, and gaining a mention in dispatches.

He returned to Christchurch with his wife and daughter in 1951, where he joined the NZ Broadcasting Service. Later he worked for A.W. & A.H. Reed Publishing, where he eventually became senior editor. He retired to Nelson in 1973, where he lived until he passed away in 1998.

After the recent Photobucket issues I decided not to hotlink the pictures here, but instead to place them in a Flickr gallery, which is linked here. These photos illustrate aspects of service life in the inter-war RAF at home and abroad, as well as quite a few interesting aircraft of the era. I have included the captions from his album, but have also fleshed them out where I can.

[ErrolC]

Those are excellent, please pass on thanks for making them available.

[Dave Homewood]

Oh boy, those photos are absolutely superb! It's really great to see some shots from a Kiwi in the interwar RAF like this. Thanks very much for posting them Alex. Are there any more from later from his WWII service?

[agile]

Will do Errol.
Dave, there is an album of his time in postwar Germany, but they are mostly family snaps. There are a few of glider flying - I'll have another look through next weekend.

[Dave Homewood]

Some Press Cuttings on Arnold Wall:

From the PRESS, 5 JULY 1926

Personal Items.
Mr Arnold Wall, son of Professor Wall, of Canterbury College, will leave for England by the Ruahine on the 17th inst., to join the Royal Air Force Cadet College, Cranwell.

From the NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 25 MARCH 1930

Pilot-Officer Arnold Wall passed through Cranwell, and has completed five months' armament course at the R.A.F. Station at Eastwich, Kent. He has now gone to No. 7 (bomber) squadron at Winchester as armament officer, and will probably go to Irak or India in about two years' time.

From the PRESS, 2 DECEMBER 1930

INDIAN VILLAGERS REWARDED.

RESISTANCE TO AFGHAN TRIBES.
Writing from India, Flying-Officer Arnold Wall, R.A.F., formerly of Christchurch, and now stationed at Kohat, gives the following description of proceedings after the operations in the Kurram Valley during the disturbances there some time ago:
"After the conclusion of operations in the Kurram Valley, in which the Royal Air Force played so important a part, and by which the threat to Peshawar was removed, the villagers and local militia of the valley, who had kept out the Afghan tribes, were given remission of a year's taxes and a month's pay respectively, with some decorations also. This was done at a Durbar held in October at Parachinar, where the District Commissioner, the Political Agent, and chiefs of the village delivered speeches, a body of Royal Air Force machines flying over as a demonstration.
"After the speeches each man received his money in a little velvet purse, and then there was a marchpast, one village at a time. The march is described as most moving and impressive, 'old men with snowy beards, middle-aged warriors, and tiny boys, streamed past, each with a service rifle, bandolier, find Waziri knife. These mountain villagers are the most simple and lovable folk; honest as daylight, and with a very keen sense of humour, very hospitable, and the toughest fighting men there are.' The photograph which appears on the illustrations page of this issue of The Press was taken by Flying-Officer Wall, who took part in the operations.

From the EVENING POST, 11 AUGUST 1931

News was received in Christchurch on Saturday by cablegram that Flying-Officer Arnold Wall, who is with the Royal Air Force in India, had received serious injury to his right eye, in an accident, and that there is no hope of saving it. He is in the Military Hospital at Raznak, India. Flying-Officer Wall, who is the son of Professor Wall, of Canterbury College, was educated at Christ's College. He went Home to join the Air Force five or six years ago, receiving his training at Cranwell. He has been in India for nearly two years.

[Dave Homewood]

From the PRESS, 7 FEBRUARY 1933

WEDDING OF AIR FORCE OFFICER.

SON OF PROFESSOR WALL.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION--BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH — COPYRIGHT.) LONDON, February 5.
A hymn composed by her grandfather was sung at the wedding of Miss Christine Heppesley to Flying Officer Arnold Wall, R. A.F., a son of Professor Arnold Wall (former Professor of English Language and Literature at Canterbury College, Christchurch), and a nephew of the Duchess of Somerset.

From the PRESS, 8 MARCH 1938

NEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, February 19.

Flying Officer (Acting-Flight Lieutenant) A. Wall (Christchurch), of the equipment branch of the Royal Air Force, has been promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant, according to an Air Ministry announcement. Mr Wall is the only son of Professor Arnold Wall and the late Mrs Wall, and a nephew of the Dowager Duchess of Somerset.

[Dave Homewood]

It's interesting that you say Arnold got into broadcasting, because his father, Professor Arnold Wall, was a frequent broadcaster on New Zealand radio giving special talks through the 1930's and 1940's. I have heard of him before, he was spoken about a few times on Radio New Zealand National's much missed 'Sounds Historical' programme.

[agile]

Those cuttings are great, thanks Dave. Yes both father and son made a lasting impression in our culture.

[errolmartyn]

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

WALL, Group Captain Arnold, OBE, mid.
133518; Born Christchurch, 11 Jan 1908; RAF 2 Sep 1926 to 24 Feb 1951, 31028; RNZAF/Res. 30 Jul 1956 to 11 Jan 1963; Pilot, then ASD (Equipment)
Citation Mention in Despatches (26 Jun 1931): In recognition of gallant and distinguished conduct in operations, North-West Frontier, India, 23 Apr-12 Sep 1930. Served as a pilot in England with 7 Sqn RAF (Virginia), then in India with 60 Sqn RAF (Wapiti), where he lost an eye during active service.
Citation Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KB1950): Not available - awarded for service with the RAF. After his change of ‘Branch’ his ground duties included - forming the RAF Catering Branch 1940-1942; instructing at RAF Staff College 1942-1944; Deputy Director Air Staff Policy 1944-1947; Germany 1948-1950, including equipment duties during the Berlin Air Lift.
Following retirement from the RAF he returned to NZ, joining the RNZAF Reserve. Died Nelson, 3 Jul 1998.

Errol

[johnnyfalcon]

"...why do you whisper green grass...?"

- I will not have gossip in this jungle

[Dave Homewood]

Ahahahahaha, yes I too instantly thought of little Lofty Sugden.

[mikeangove]

Not an aviation query, but does anyone have ancestral info on Group Captain Wall. Did he have roots in Cornwall UK. I ask as a descendant has a reasonably strong link (prob 4th cousin) to myself. From waht I can ascertain his grandfather was John Curran CURNOW but I havent been able to trace any further back.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
thanks, Mike

[agile]

I'm in touch with his daughter every so often - I'll can ask her if you like.

[mikeangove]

Thanks agile. That would be great. I have managed to build a tree going back a few generations in Cornwall but no link to me yet

[agile]

You have a PM Mike.

Cheers
A

[agile]

I recently commissioned Daniel Rarity to work his magic on a few of these photos, including Dave's favourite:
"A.W., Weston, McKee. Kohat, 1930"


Kohat, 1930: "Taxying out on a raid" - Westland Wapiti IIA


Cranwell, 1932: "Harrington, A.W., Needham, Morton, Smith, Ambridge"


If you haven't seen his other work you are missing a real treat. www.facebook.com/RarityColor/

[chinapilot]

First thing that came to mind was ‘It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’...

Great photos.

[curtiss]

Shorty - You do get about the place!

[Dave Homewood]

Hahahaha!!

[oj]

As a school boy I was an avid listener to Arnold Wall at 2045 on National Radio over a great many episodes. His programme "The Queen's English" was formative to my reasonable command of the language (he said hopefully).