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Post by gibbo on Oct 27, 2019 18:55:42 GMT 12
This chap was killed 30th May 1943 ... apparently a Sgt Navigator with the RNZAF.
The Auckland Rose Society have a silver cup presented by his parents in his memory (& competed for each year). The other half who's into her roses has asked me to check him out so she can do a little history of the cup & him for the Rose Society magazine... great idea!
The cup doesn't have a service number on it and I don't seem to be able to find it on Archway (Archives NZ). The cup is engraved 'RNZAF RAF' on a single line under his name so not sure if he was RNZAF or not. Auckland museum have a collection of his letters - their summary says he was a member of the RNZAF & killed in a flying accident in Canada... presumably in training. The letters are mainly between him & his parents, but also one to his parents from his C.O. after his death, so I'll have to go check that collection out.
Any help would be appreciated!
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Post by errolmartyn on Oct 27, 2019 21:33:52 GMT 12
This chap was killed 30th May 1943 ... apparently a Sgt Navigator with the RNZAF. The Auckland Rose Society have a silver cup presented by his parents in his memory (& competed for each year). The other half who's into her roses has asked me to check him out so she can do a little history of the cup & him for the Rose Society magazine... great idea! The cup doesn't have a service number on it and I don't seem to be able to find it on Archway (Archives NZ). The cup is engraved 'RNZAF RAF' on a single line under his name so not sure if he was RNZAF or not. Auckland museum have a collection of his letters - their summary says he was a member of the RNZAF & killed in a flying accident in Canada... presumably in training. The letters are mainly between him & his parents, but also one to his parents from his C.O. after his death, so I'll have to go check that collection out. Any help would be appreciated! From Vol 2 of my trilogy F or Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 : Sat 29/Sun 30 May 1943 BOMBER COMMAND Raid on Wuppertal, Germany (by 719 aircraft - 36 lost) 90 Squadron, RAF (Ridgewell, Essex - 3 Group)Stirling I EF397/K - took off at 2310 captained by Plt Off E A Norton, RAF, on same raid as the above. On return to England the bomber was diverted to Stradishall, Suffolk because the penultimate aircraft to land at Ridgewell had burst a tyre and obstructed the runway. The Stirling flew over Stradishall, where the cloud base was down to about 500 feet. At 200 feet it then proceeded to make a circuit, but on turning back towards the airfield at 0440 it struck the ground with its port wing tip and crashed 2 miles north of the airfield. Of the seven crew, only the rear gunner survived, injured. The navigator, air bomber and mid-upper gunner are buried at Haverhill, 6 miles SW of Stradishall. Navigator: NZ42298 Sgt Lionel Fairfax Furner JOHNS, RNZAF - Age 23. 266hrs. 1st op. Air Bomber: NZ422656 Fg Off John Vernon GUSTOFSON, RNZAF - Age 34. 190hrs. 1st op. struck the ground with its port wing tip and crashed. And Vol 3: JOHNS, Sergeant Lionel Fairfax Furner. NZ42298; b Wgtn 25 Aug 19; Mt Albert Grammar; accountant - British General Electric Co, Auckland. RNZAF Levin/ITW as Air Observer u/t 25 Jan 42, emb for Canada 5 Apr 42, att RCAF 30 Apr 42, 5 M Depôt 1 May 42, 4AOS May 42, remust as Air Navigator u/t 22 Jun 42, Air Observers Badge [in lieu Air Navigators Badge] & Sgt 11 Sep 42, 1 Y Depôt 22 Sep 42, att RAF & emb for UK 25 Sep 42, 3PRC 9 Oct 42, 9(O)AFU 28 Oct 42, 11OTU (Wellington) 5 Jan 43, 1657HCU (Stirling) 2 Apr 43, 90 Sqn (Stirling - 1 op) 2 May 43, kao 30 May 43. Haverhill Cemetery - U.248, Suff., England. Son of Leslie Lionel & Edith Maud Furner Johns, New Lynn, Auckland. [phot. TWN 25.8.43]. Errol |
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Post by gibbo on Oct 27, 2019 22:43:25 GMT 12
This chap was killed 30th May 1943 ... apparently a Sgt Navigator with the RNZAF. The Auckland Rose Society have a silver cup presented by his parents in his memory (& competed for each year). The other half who's into her roses has asked me to check him out so she can do a little history of the cup & him for the Rose Society magazine... great idea! The cup doesn't have a service number on it and I don't seem to be able to find it on Archway (Archives NZ). The cup is engraved 'RNZAF RAF' on a single line under his name so not sure if he was RNZAF or not. Auckland museum have a collection of his letters - their summary says he was a member of the RNZAF & killed in a flying accident in Canada... presumably in training. The letters are mainly between him & his parents, but also one to his parents from his C.O. after his death, so I'll have to go check that collection out. Any help would be appreciated! From Vol 2 of my trilogy F or Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 : Sat 29/Sun 30 May 1943 BOMBER COMMAND Raid on Wuppertal, Germany (by 719 aircraft - 36 lost) 90 Squadron, RAF (Ridgewell, Essex - 3 Group)Stirling I EF397/K - took off at 2310 captained by Plt Off E A Norton, RAF, on same raid as the above. On return to England the bomber was diverted to Stradishall, Suffolk because the penultimate aircraft to land at Ridgewell had burst a tyre and obstructed the runway. The Stirling flew over Stradishall, where the cloud base was down to about 500 feet. At 200 feet it then proceeded to make a circuit, but on turning back towards the airfield at 0440 it struck the ground with its port wing tip and crashed 2 miles north of the airfield. Of the seven crew, only the rear gunner survived, injured. The navigator, air bomber and mid-upper gunner are buried at Haverhill, 6 miles SW of Stradishall. Navigator: NZ42298 Sgt Lionel Fairfax Furner JOHNS, RNZAF - Age 23. 266hrs. 1st op. Air Bomber: NZ422656 Fg Off John Vernon GUSTOFSON, RNZAF - Age 34. 190hrs. 1st op. struck the ground with its port wing tip and crashed. And Vol 3: JOHNS, Sergeant Lionel Fairfax Furner. NZ42298; b Wgtn 25 Aug 19; Mt Albert Grammar; accountant - British General Electric Co, Auckland. RNZAF Levin/ITW as Air Observer u/t 25 Jan 42, emb for Canada 5 Apr 42, att RCAF 30 Apr 42, 5 M Depôt 1 May 42, 4AOS May 42, remust as Air Navigator u/t 22 Jun 42, Air Observers Badge [in lieu Air Navigators Badge] & Sgt 11 Sep 42, 1 Y Depôt 22 Sep 42, att RAF & emb for UK 25 Sep 42, 3PRC 9 Oct 42, 9(O)AFU 28 Oct 42, 11OTU (Wellington) 5 Jan 43, 1657HCU (Stirling) 2 Apr 43, 90 Sqn (Stirling - 1 op) 2 May 43, kao 30 May 43. Haverhill Cemetery - U.248, Suff., England. Son of Leslie Lionel & Edith Maud Furner Johns, New Lynn, Auckland. [phot. TWN 25.8.43]. Errol Oh wow, thanks so much Errol... knew I'd get some answers here! The museums reference to being killed in Canada is way off then... as I intend to view the collection I'll ask that they correct it...they also have his third name as Turner rather than Furner. cheers...  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 28, 2019 11:06:29 GMT 12
It never ceases to amaze me the different ways that our airmen who never came home get remembered by their communities. Thanks for posting Gibbo.
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Post by gibbo on Feb 27, 2020 21:43:01 GMT 12
This chap was killed 30th May 1943 ... apparently a Sgt Navigator with the RNZAF. The Auckland Rose Society have a silver cup presented by his parents in his memory (& competed for each year). The other half who's into her roses has asked me to check him out so she can do a little history of the cup & him for the Rose Society magazine... great idea! The cup doesn't have a service number on it and I don't seem to be able to find it on Archway (Archives NZ). The cup is engraved 'RNZAF RAF' on a single line under his name so not sure if he was RNZAF or not. Auckland museum have a collection of his letters - their summary says he was a member of the RNZAF & killed in a flying accident in Canada... presumably in training. The letters are mainly between him & his parents, but also one to his parents from his C.O. after his death, so I'll have to go check that collection out. Any help would be appreciated! I've now got an article pretty much done for the April edition of the Akl Rose Soc Magazine, but the one thing I cannot find is a photo of Sgt. L.F.F.Johns NZ42298. Somewhere out there there'll be one of him or his crew, or possibly a course photo. Does anyone have any ideas? Have asked RNZAF Museum but no response yet & their newly launched online image collection doesn't return anything. Possible clues are: (1) Initial Training Wing - Observers course, marched in 25th Jan 1942 to Levin (Wareroa) - his course was moved to Rotorua around 22nd Feb after ITW was relocated. (2) No. 4 Air Observer's School in London, Ontario (Canada): April - September 1942 (3) No. 9 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit/School in Penhros, Caernarvonshire (Wales): Oct 1942 - Jan 1943 (4) 90 Sqn RAF: Early May 1943 till his death 30th May. (5) Navigator on 90 Sqn Stirling EF397 - crashed north of RAF Stradishall 0430hrs 30th May 1943 (1st operational sortie) cheers...Gibbo |
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Post by errolmartyn on Feb 27, 2020 22:30:03 GMT 12
Gibbo,
There is a small portrait type photo of him in the illustrated pages of The Weekly News of 25 Aug 43, page 30. The Air Force Museum should be able to provide you with a scan of same.
Errol
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Post by gibbo on Feb 27, 2020 23:18:41 GMT 12
Gibbo, There is a small portrait type photo of him in the illustrated pages of The Weekly News of 25 Aug 43, page 30. The Air Force Museum should be able to provide you with a scan of same. Errol Wow, awesome thanks Errol... how on earth did you discover that!?! I'll follow up with AFM tomorrow. <edit>: I've just managed to find the image online using the Akl Library's online photo search, but will still see if AFM can provide a higher res image. Friggin awesome Errol... thx heaps! cheers...Gibbo |
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Post by gibbo on Jan 9, 2021 13:40:00 GMT 12
Gibbo, There is a small portrait type photo of him in the illustrated pages of The Weekly News of 25 Aug 43, page 30. The Air Force Museum should be able to provide you with a scan of same. Errol Hey Errol, Don't suppose your magic can conjure up a photo of this guy who died in the same crash as Sgt L.F.F. Johns?: Fg Off John Vernon Gustofson - NZ422656 |
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Post by errolmartyn on Jan 9, 2021 15:20:29 GMT 12
Gibbo, There is a small portrait type photo of him in the illustrated pages of The Weekly News of 25 Aug 43, page 30. The Air Force Museum should be able to provide you with a scan of same. Errol Hey Errol, Don't suppose your magic can conjure up a photo of this guy who died in the same crash as Sgt L.F.F. Johns?: Fg Off John Vernon Gustofson - NZ422656 Nothing published in TWN, apparently, Gibbo but Matthhew at the Air Force Museum might be able to come up with one relating to his ITW course in NZ or courses in Canada. Here's my bio from my For Your Tomorrow Vol 3 which identifies the relevant units and dates: GUSTOFSON, Flying Officer John Vernon. NZ422656; b Carterton 21 Mar 09; Palm Nth BHS & Palm Nth TS; sales agent/secretary - Wair Building Society & T&G Mutual Life Society, Carterton. RNZAF Rotorua/ITW as Air Observer u/t 18 Apr 42, emb for Canada 22 Jun 42, att RCAF 15 Jul 42, [5 M Depôt 16 Jul 42?], 6BGS c.20 Jul 42, remust as Air Bomber u/t, 10AOS 15 Sep 42, Air Observers Badge [in lieu Air Bombers Badge] & Sgt/Comm 23 Oct 42, 1 Y Depôt 2 Nov 42, att RAF & emb for UK 23 Nov 42, 3PRC [redesignated 11PD&RC c.28 Dec] 1 Dec 42, [11OTU (Wellington) 5 Jan 43?], 1657HCU (Stirling) 1 Apr 43, 90 Sqn (Stirling - 1 op) 30 Apr 43, kao 30 May 43. Haverhill Cemetery - U.146, Suff., England. Son of Daniel & Helen Mabel Gustofson (née Warrington), Eketahuna; h of Marcelle Elaine Gustofson (née Barber, later George) & f of 1d, Carterton. Cheers, Errol |
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Post by gibbo on Jan 10, 2021 0:46:36 GMT 12
Hey Errol, Don't suppose your magic can conjure up a photo of this guy who died in the same crash as Sgt L.F.F. Johns?: Fg Off John Vernon Gustofson - NZ422656 Nothing published in TWN, apparently, Gibbo but Matthhew at the Air Force Museum might be able to come up with one relating to his ITW course in NZ or courses in Canada. Here's my bio from my For Your Tomorrow Vol 3 which identifies the relevant units and dates: GUSTOFSON, Flying Officer John Vernon. NZ422656; b Carterton 21 Mar 09; Palm Nth BHS & Palm Nth TS; sales agent/secretary - Wair Building Society & T&G Mutual Life Society, Carterton. RNZAF Rotorua/ITW as Air Observer u/t 18 Apr 42, emb for Canada 22 Jun 42, att RCAF 15 Jul 42, [5 M Depôt 16 Jul 42?], 6BGS c.20 Jul 42, remust as Air Bomber u/t, 10AOS 15 Sep 42, Air Observers Badge [in lieu Air Bombers Badge] & Sgt/Comm 23 Oct 42, 1 Y Depôt 2 Nov 42, att RAF & emb for UK 23 Nov 42, 3PRC [redesignated 11PD&RC c.28 Dec] 1 Dec 42, [11OTU (Wellington) 5 Jan 43?], 1657HCU (Stirling) 1 Apr 43, 90 Sqn (Stirling - 1 op) 30 Apr 43, kao 30 May 43. Haverhill Cemetery - U.146, Suff., England. Son of Daniel & Helen Mabel Gustofson (née Warrington), Eketahuna; h of Marcelle Elaine Gustofson (née Barber, later George) & f of 1d, Carterton. Cheers, Errol Cool thx Errol, I'll follow-up with Matthew @ RNZAF Museum. There's a local history group in the UK (Haverhll) doing a write-up of foreign airmen buried in their local cemetery and that includes these 2 kiwis, they just need a photo so thought I'd see if I could help them. I've just sent them one of Johns. suffolkfhs.co.uk/index.php/projects/display/130cheers...Gibbo |
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