Researching Pilot F/Sgt Edward Dennis CANNON 504 Squadron

[kc]

Hi all,

I'm researching a RNZAF 504 Squadron pilot F/Sgt Edward Dennis (or maybe Dennis Edward) CANNON (403424) who baled out but did not survive on the 9th February 1942 when his Spitfire P8576 developed a glycol leak over the Irish Sea and crashed.

I wondered if anyone had any extra information about him.

From looking at various websites, I've found that he was born second quarter 1916 in Kaponga, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand and married in New Zealand in 1941.

Any information gratefully received.

Thanks

[errolmartyn]

From my trilogy 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) :

CANNON, Flight Sergeant Edward Dennis.
NZ403424; b Stratford 11 May 16; Stratford THS; butcher - F Cook, Stratford. New Plymouth & Stratford aero clubs, [flew 5 hrs dual prior RNZAF]; RNZAF Levin/GTS as Airman Pilot u/t 29 Sep 40, 2EFTS 27 Dec 40, 3FTS 8 Feb 41, Pilots Badge [wef 24.3.41] & Sgt 3 May 41, att RAF & emb for UK 26 May 41, 3PRC 3 Jul 41, 9SFTS 23 Jul 41, 61OTU (Spitfire) 30 Sep 41, 504 Sqn (Spitfire) 23 Dec 41, kaa 9 Feb 42. Stoneykirk Cemetery - C.134, Wig., Scotland. Son of Henry (Harry?) & Lucy Cannon (née Phillips), Stratford; h of Linley Zita Cannon (née Hulbert), Stratford [phot. TWN 1.4.42].

Errol

[McFly]

"Group. Pilots course 8c, No. 3 Service Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Ohakea - 10/02/1941. (2013-278.5)
L-R: Back; ER Jones, AR Cook, GR Cameron, GS Bolton, DF Ayson, HD Alcock, RD McNabb, NF McLean, LG Volzke, RT Maunsey, GD Steel, H Kay, HV Sole.

Front; LL Bentley, HW Chambers, HF Christensen, FB Forge, FB Gray, KF Heald, ED Cannon, EJ Garnett, HG Viles, TY Wyllie, CMcG Simpson, WStGR Wilson, T Kay, DM Keane."

(Air Force Museum Collection)

[noooby]

Be interesting to see how many of them survived the war Marty.

[kc]

Brilliant! Thanks everybody that's really useful.

[thomarse]

Nov 11, 2022 3:13:51 GMT 12 noooby said:

Be interesting to see how many of them survived the war Marty.

I agree and am interested that there's not a single name I recognise in there

[davidd]

Because YOU asked for it!

Course 8C comprised 27 members, commenced their intermediate training @ Ohakea (3 FTS, @ ITS) 8/2/41, tfd to ATS 24/3/41 for advanced training, total 26 graduated 2/5/41 (and promoted on 3/5/41 to rank of Sgt [19] or appted to temp comm. as P/O [7]). LAC R P McNabb was injured in flying accident, Hawker Hind 24/2/41, temporarily posted to wastage, but graduated with a later course (11C). Aircraft in use at 3 FTS during duration of Course 8C - Single Engine (Hawker Hind), Multi Engine (Airspeed Oxford).

Thus twenty two graduates were shipped off to the RAF, and four were retained in NZ for "home defence or training" duties (D F Ayson, F B Forge, R T Mounsey, and L G W Volzke [latter killed in Hudson accident, 2 GR Sqdn, NZ 15/12/41]; Forge was later shipped overseas to UK 17/11/41, and survived the war). Ayson became quite a famous Hudson, then Ventura pilot, Mounsey ditto, latter even better known as transport pilot, also with NAC/Air NZ, etc.

Those killed/lost whilst serving on attachment to the RAF were: L L Bentley (UK, 75 Sqdn 23/12/41), G S Bolton (Middle East, 213 Sqdn 3/7/42), G R Cameron (Mediterranean, 21 Sqdn, Malta, 6/2/42), E D Cannon (UK, 504 Sqdn, 9/2/42), A R Cook (UK, 19 OTU, 19/5/43), T H Gray (UK, 75 Sqdn, 7/11/41), K F Heald (UK, 57 Sqdn, 30/4/42), Harold KAY (died of injuries, India, 34 Sqdn, 13/5/42), Thomas KAY (UK, 150 Sqdn, 6/6/42), D M Keane (North Africa, 104 Sqdn, 14/10/42), N F McLean (UK, 76 Sqdn, 31/10/41), S D Steel (UK, 51 Sqdn, 31/10/41), W St G R Wilson (UK, 57 Sqdn 18/4/42), Wyllie, T Y (UK, 75 Sqdn 8/11/41). Note that the F B Gray in the photograph above has the wrong initials, should be Trevor Hedley (NZ404356). Seems to have the same initials as the man on his left (Forge). Also S D Steel appears with incorrect initials "G D".

[Dave Homewood]

Don Ayson is famous as the pilot who skilfully flew a Ventura and avoided at least five Zeros attacking him, while his Air Gunner shot some down.

Victor Sole was a Cambridge airman:
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Horace%20Victor%20SOLE.htm

[noooby]

Yikes. Those aren't good odds. Only 12 of 27 survived the war, assuming McNabb who recoursed, survived the war.

[errolmartyn]

Nov 11, 2022 15:35:54 GMT 12 noooby said:

Yikes. Those aren't good odds. Only 12 of 27 survived the war, assuming McNabb who recoursed, survived the war.

McNabb was killed on Christmas Day 1941 while flying with 67 Squadron in Burma.

Errol