NZ Aviation Obituaries and Death Notices

[ErrolC]

Feb 23, 2011 15:31:07 GMT 12 slackie said:

MURPHY, Jillian
An Air Traffic Controller from Christchurch Tower has been confirmed to have died as a result of a building collapse in the inner city during Christchurch earthquake on 22nd Feb 2011.

She was a vibrant, bubbly, and fun loving person. Jilly is survived by her husband and 2 children.

RIP Jilly!

There is a quarter page photo+story in today's NZH about her, but I can't find it online.

Was at Deval in Cashel Mall
Age 48
Partner Richard Green, children Taylor (17), Bond (15).

[ErrolC]

Feb 25, 2011 7:40:37 GMT 12 ErrolC said:

Feb 23, 2011 15:31:07 GMT 12 slackie said:

MURPHY, Jillian
An Air Traffic Controller from Christchurch Tower has been confirmed to have died as a result of a building collapse in the inner city during Christchurch earthquake on 22nd Feb 2011.

She was a vibrant, bubbly, and fun loving person. Jilly is survived by her husband and 2 children.

RIP Jilly!

There is a quarter page photo+story in today's NZH about her, but I can't find it online.

Was at Deval in Cashel Mall
Age 48
Partner Richard Green, children Taylor (17), Bond (15).

Link now available
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708601

[Dave Homewood]

The New Zealand Herald website seems to have removed its searchable Death Notice section from the site, sadly. The link now goes to obituaries, which is less than helpful in keeping up to date with deaths.

[ErrolC]

Feb 28, 2011 14:57:56 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

The New Zealand Herald website seems to have removed its searchable Death Notice section from the site, sadly. The link now goes to obituaries, which is less than helpful in keeping up to date with deaths.

I wonder if they are trying to lower the load on their website infrastructure while it is getting hammered?

[angelsonefive]

An RNZAF wartime pilot and ag. flying pioneer has passed on.

Robert William (Bob) Gummer.

Story here : www.nzherald.co.nz/aviation/news/article.cfm?c_id=556&objectid=10708916

[Dave Homewood]

This just in from Classic Flyers. Sad news, I met Ray a couple of times and we interviewed him last year. He was still very active and still ran his own business at the age of about 90. RIP

FUNERAL OF RAY STRATFORD

Ray Stratford, the President of the Bomber Command Association died earlier this week. He is well known to many Classic Flyers friends through his frequent organization of the Bomber Command Association meetings at Classic Flyers and recently for the meeting attended by the RNZAF Chief of Air Force. He served many missions over enemy territory in WWII as an bomb aimer and air gunner. His funeral service will be at the Chapel adjacent to Farmlands on 13th Avenue at 1pm tomorrow, Thursday.

David Love
Chairman, Board of Management
Classic Flyers NZ
07 572 4000

[Dave Homewood]

It seems the Herald site is now searchable for death notices again - it must have been in transition when I last looked. It's not as easy to get around as it was but I found these recent notices, including one for Ray Stratford I mentioned above.

Donald James (Don) Rapley | Visit Guest Book


RAPLEY, Donald James (Don). Reg. No. 442438, LAC, RNZAF, 1939 - 1945. Passed away suddenly on Saturday February 19, 2011 in Auckland, aged 85 years. Dearly loved husband of Win for 63 years. Loved father and father-in- law of Allan and Helen (London), Neville and Ann (Hastings), Anne and Tim Begg (Sydney). Precious Grandad of Thomas, Joseph, Edward (Ned), William (Wills), Harry, Susan, Lisa, James, Hannah, Sarah and Great Grandad of baby Finn. A service for Don will be held at St Andrews Church, Market Street South, Hastings on Saturday February 26 2011 at 2.00pm, followed by interment at the Hastings Services Cemetery. Messages to the Rapley family c/- P O Box 967, Hastings. 509 Queen St West, Hastings.


Alan Horace Robb | Visit Guest Book


ROBB, Alan Horace. 2 April 1925 - 2 March 2011 Service No. 437420, RNZAF. At Cranford Hospice, Hastings surrounded by his loving family. Dearly loved husband of Anne for 57 years. Much loved and respected father and father- in-law of Jenny, Kathryn and Colin (Levin), Peter and Kasia (Poland), and David. Much loved Grandad of Sam and Rachel, Mark and Claire, Paul and Sonja, Aaron and Kate, and the late Sara; CJ and Mel, Richard and Michaela, and Victoria. Great-grandad of Harry, Corbyn and Lily, and Mavrick. Brother of Elizabeth and Valerie. Grateful thanks to the awesome team at Cranford Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations to Cranford would be appreciated. A service for Alan will be held in the Beth Shan Chapel, 157 Georges Drive, Napier on Saturday, March 5 at 1.00pm and will be followed by private cremation. Messages to The Robb Family, C/o PO Box 439, Napier 4140 or [e-mail] or www.amemorytree.co.nz Beth Shan Funeral Directors, FDANZ, Napier. Phone [phone]

Published in The New Zealand Herald on March 3, 2011


Hilray Herbert Stratford | Visit Guest Book


STRATFORD, Hilray Herbert (Ray). (Service No 4213296, Warrant Officer, 75 Squadron, RNZAF, WW2) On February 26, 2011 (peacefully) at Cedar Manor, Tauranga. In his 88th year. Loved and devoted husband of Kathleen. Loved father and father-in-law of Barbara and Ross, Stephen and Sarah. Much loved grandfather of Simon, and Sarah; Madeleine, and Sophia, and great grandfather of Grisha. A service for Ray will be held at the Hillsdene Chapel, 143 13th Avenue, Tauranga on Thursday, March 3 at 1.00pm thereafter private cremation.

Published in The New Zealand Herald from February 28 to March 1, 2011

[pjw4118]

Ray Stratford
We have lost a good friend with Rays passing. he was one of the original NZBCA members and organiser of the BOP branch for many years. As numbers fell he launched the Ad Astra Association.
Always ready for another luncheon, Ray brought groups up to the Auckland events as well.
RIP Ray

[Dave Homewood]

Arthur Barry Goodwin

GOODWIN, Arthur Barry. (RNZAF Retired H85084.) Aged 56 years. Passed away peacefully in Waikato Hospital on Thursday 3 March 2011. Beloved husband and soul mate of Hine. Loving father of Nathan and Angeline (Mt Maunganui), Anthony and the late Ali (Ruakaka), and Ernest (Ruakaka). Cherished grandfather of Roman, Aidan, Zahrian, Rohan, Riley and Teigan. Barry will be lying at home, 10 Albert Place, Ngaruawahia. A service will be held for Barry on Monday 7 March 2011, at the Ngaruawahia Bowling Club, corner of Ellery and Herschel Streets, Ngaruawahia. Love and miss you heaps. All enquiries to Ph: [phone].

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Alex Miller, CEO of Mount Cook Ski Planes passed away last month on 5th February, aged 70.



Alex was a half-owner (with Richard Royds) of the company and lived at Docherty Creek just down the road from Franz Josef Glacier where he owned his own private airstrip.

Alex' experience as a ski plane pilot goes right back to the days of the Mount Cook company. In the early 1990s, he purchased the West Coast operation but continued to use the Mount Cook name and pooled the two Cessna 185 skiplanes he purchased with the Mount Cook fleet. Eventually, the Mount Cook side of the operation came up for sale and Alec teamed up with Richard Royds to take full control of the ski plane operation. Prior to flying ski planes for a living, Alex was a national park ranger and before that a mountaineering guide.

The following photograph was taken several years ago while approaching Alex Miller's airstrip at Docherty Creek (Alex was flying the aeroplane) — you can see his house to the right of the runway. There is a power line which diagonally crosses the runway about two-thirds of the way along and you can see the poles on either side of the strip if you look carefully.

[Dave Homewood]

HAWKER, Reginald Peter Prince. (RNZAF, Service no. 78502). Passed peacefully 6th March 2011, at home, in his 74th year. Son of the late Doris and Jim (Rotorua). Much loved husband and best friend to Mary for over 50 years. Beloved father to Neville, Marie, and Allan. Loved father-in-law to Sheryl, Roger, and Carol. Much loved grandad to Adrian, Michael, Gracie, Gina, Katrina, Jacinda, Nathan, Casey, Julian, Olivia, Sarah-Jane, and great- grandad to Tabitha. Loved brother to Graeme and sisters, Patricia and Phyllis, and sister- in-law, Anne. Forever missed and always remembered in our hearts. A service for Peter will be held at the Trinity Uniting Church, cnr Otuhiwai Crescent and Kiripaka Road, Tikipunga, Whangarei, at 1:00pm, Wednesday, 9th March 2011, followed by private cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations made directly to the North Haven Hospice, PO Box 7050, Tikipunga, Whangarei 0144, would be appreciated. All communications to ph. [phone], or 'The Hawker Family', c/- PO Box 5116, Whangarei 0140.

[Andy Wright]

Lt-Cdr Howard Alton 'Dusty' Rhodes DSC*, MID, RNZNVR

www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/naval-hero-became-top-veterinarian-20110228-1bbt9.html

As with so many New Zealanders, Dusty Rhodes ended up in Australia, where he was a respected veterinarian for many years and helped re-establish the Melbourne University Veterinary School after World War II.

Howard Alton Rhodes was born on September 25, 1922 at Marton in New Zealand, son of farmers Alton and Jessie Rhodes. He was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School then enrolled at the University of Otago but when war broke out he joined the army then transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

An early sign of his determined spirit showed when he heard it would take 12 months to start training as a pilot. This convinced him to join the (British) Fleet Air Arm while still in New Zealand. He finished up in the US in the early 1940s, training as a carrier fighter pilot. Here he got his nickname of ''Dusty'' to go with Rhodes.

After further training in Britain in 1943, Rhodes was transferred to HMS Illustrious in 1944, operating off the coast of India and Sri Lanka and then to HMS Victorious off Sumatra.

During 1945, he showed exceptional skills in landing crippled and faulty planes onto carriers and survived several ocean crash landings. On one occasion he had to kick his way out of a cockpit.

He received a Distinguished Service Cross and later a bar for courage, skill and determination in air attacks.

After demobilisation, Rhodes went to the University of Otago for a year then transferred to the University of Sydney. In Sydney, he was introduced to kindergarten teacher Maude McKenzie and they were married in January, 1949.

Rhodes was a house tutor at Knox College as well as serving as president of the Veterinary Student's Association in 1949. He graduated with a degree in veterinary science in 1950.

After a year as an assistant at Singleton, Rhodes set up private practice at Colac in south-western Victoria and was immediately popular.

As Dr Bob Knight of Noorat commented: "His wartime leadership and experience endowed Dusty with the attribute of a great presence everywhere he went."

Maude and Dusty were one of those rare couples who were able to mix long hours of hard work with gracious living. Their dinners were always late-evening affairs because of Dusty's workload.

His list of ex-assistants reads like a ''Who's Who'' of Australian veterinarians. Without exception they attest to Rhodes's amazing capacity for hard work, long hours and the ability to drive cars like aeroplanes, with the wheels occasionally touching the ground. Most locals would remember him for his back-roads driving skills in the days before speed limits, as well as for his "uniform" of white shirt with red tie, green boiler suit and gumboots.

His capacity for driving was essential to his work for the Veterinary Board of Victoria for nine years during the late 1950s and 1960s, each attendance involving a 300 kilometre round trip to Melbourne. As it was for the time he spent on the committee of the Victorian division of the Australian Veterinary Association, where he is remembered for his role on a steering committee formed in 1959 to explore the feasibility of funding and re-establishing the Melbourne University Veterinary School.

As president of the division in 1959 and 1960, he did not mince words in condemning practitioner resistance to the scheme. Behind the scenes he spent much time soliciting community support for the school, often in collaboration with Sir Chester Manifold. The fact that there is now a world-class veterinary school in Victoria is partly due to Rhodes's tireless efforts.

He also found time to be a committee member and attending veterinarian of the Colac Turf Club for decades, served a term as president, and became a life member.

Dusty Rhodes is survived by Maude, children Christopher, Pene, Jan and Michael and their partners, 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A very small amount of digging adds some context to what is reported bove in the obit:

www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Navy-c24.html

The British Pacific Fleet struck its first blows at the Japanese from the Indian Ocean. In January 1945 Rear-Admiral Sir Philip Vian's carrier force consisting of the Indomitable, Indefatigable, Illustrious, Victorious, the cruisers Suffolk, Ceylon, Argonaut and Black Prince, and eight destroyers, carried out three successful attacks on oil refineries in Sumatra which were supplying about three-quarters of the aircraft fuel used by the Japanese. The production of the three refineries was drastically reduced as a result of the damage done by these attacks. More than sixty New Zealand pilots of the Fleet Air Arm serving in the carriers took part in the operations.

The first strike (Operation LENTIL) was made at Pangkalan Brandan in eastern Sumatra on 4 January 1945. Sixteen fighters attacked the nearby airfields, and thirty-two Avengers and twelve rocket-firing Fireflies escorted by twelve fighters bombed the refinery. The fighters shot down two Japanese aircraft and destroyed seven others on the ground. Much damage was done to the refinery, oil storage tanks and a small tanker were set on fire, and two locomotives were hit. Seven enemy aircraft were also shot down by the escorting fighters. The only losses were an Avenger which forcelanded owing to engine failure and a Firefly which ran out of fuel and came down near the Indefatigable.

Two New Zealand pilots were mentioned in despatches for their part in this operation. Sub-Lieutenant (A) McLennan,1 of HMS Indomitable, was the leader of a flight which shot down three Japanese fighters and shared in the destruction of a fourth. McLennan himself shot down one and shared a second. Sub-Lieutenant (A) Rhodes,2 of 1834 Squadron, HMS Victorious, shot down an enemy fighter and would almost certainly have accounted for another if he had not stuck to his job of giving top cover for the bombers.

...

Rhodes, a fighter pilot of 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious, took part in many strafing missions and shot down a Japanese fighter. He was a ‘very reliable pilot’ who several times had successfully led his division.

www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Navy-c25.html

Sub-Lieutenant (A) H. A. Rhodes, a fighter pilot of 1836 Squadron HMS Victorious, who fought in six ‘Ramrods’, was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Service Cross – he had earlier been mentioned in despatches. His alertness and quickness of eye and dash made him ‘outstanding in a good operational fighter squadron.’ He showed ‘coolness and superb airmanship’ in landing his badly shot-up Corsair, in which the flying controls were virtually entirely destroyed, safely on his carrier after returning with valuable photographs which he knew were needed to assess the damage done to a Japanese carrier.

Here's a bit more about his adventures:

www.theage.com.au/national/obituaries/animals-best-friend-had-nine-lives-20110221-1b2i5.html?skin=text-only

DUSTY Rhodes, a veterinarian who achieved legendary status in the Colac district for his work with farm animals, pets and thoroughbreds, as well as playing an important role in the re-establishment of the veterinary school at Melbourne University, has died at an aged care facility in Colac. He was 88.

Rhodes was also a highly decorated World War II pilot who began his wartime service with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in Britain before moving to the Indian and Pacific oceans, where he flew against the Japanese off the aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious and HMS Victorious.

He won a Distinguished Service Cross for his operations against the Japanese, and was awarded a bar to his DSC ''for courage and skill and determination'' in his attacks on the Japanese in July and August 1945.

His many escapades as a Fleet Air Arm pilot included one on September 12, 1944, when fuel contamination meant he had insufficient power on take-off from the carrier and his Corsair plunged off the deck into the sea. He had to place his feet on the instrument panel to gain leverage to yank open the canopy; he barely managed to escape as the cockpit filled with water and the aircraft sank.

In November 1944 a maintenance mishap caused the reversal of his aircraft's ailerons. Only his quick thinking enabled him to reverse all the normal control functions and make an immediate emergency landing back on the carrier. Then, in May 1945, another mishap with a fuel drop tank forced him to ditch his aircraft in the sea. He successfully completed the extremely hazardous manoeuvre and was picked up by a rescue craft.

Rhodes was born at Marton on New Zealand's North Island, and educated at Wanganui Collegiate School. He enrolled at Otago University but when war broke out, joined the army as a Vickers gunner, and then transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

However, when he realised that it would take 12 months before he could even start training as a pilot, Rhodes and other young New Zealanders elected to join the Fleet Air Arm. They completed their training as carrier pilots in the United States, where an American instructor gave him the nickname Dusty. Further training followed in Britain before he began operational duties.

Rhodes finished the war as a lieutenant commander.

His service record appears in more detail in a booklet titled Let There be Flight, edited and published by Kenneth Riches, which contains the war histories of Western District former airmen.

Quite a man. RIP.

[Dave Homewood]

ALEXANDER, John Henry (Jack). 424035, Ground Engineer, RNZAF, WWII, on 13 March 2011 peacefully at Waikato Hospital aged 87 years. Dearly loved partner of Mary Hartley, Loving father of Ann, Sandra, John, Paul. Loving Grandad of Clintin, Frith, Tristin, Therese, Luke, Jessica, Holly, James and Great Grandad of Brodie, and baby to be. A special thanks to the Trevellyn Staff. 'Life is not forever - Love is!' A service for Jack will be held at Seddon Park Funeral Home Chapel, Cnr Seddon Road and Somerset Street, Hamilton, on Thursday, 17 March 2011 at 1:30pm followed by private cremation. In lieu of flowers donations preferred to the Cambridge RSA and these may be left at the service. All communications to the Alexander family PO Box 5523 Frankton, Hamilton, 3242. Seddon Park Funeral Home

Published in The New Zealand Herald on March 14, 2011

[Dave Homewood]

Vernon James Pascoe | Visit Guest Book


PASCOE, Vernon James (Vern). WWII - RNZAF. Passed away peacefully on 14 March 2011, in his 91st year. Dearly Beloved Husband of Eva for 68 years. Much Loved Father and Father-in-law of Kevin, and the Late Hilary, John, and Sandra and William Fatharly. Also Father of Brian. Loved Pop and 'old Pop' to many. Many thanks to all the people that have cared for Vern over the past two years. A Service for Vern will be held at the Crematorium Chapel, Orchard Rd Hastings, on Friday 18 March 2011, at 2pm. All messages to PO Box 14120 Mayfair, Hastings. Will be sadly missed.

[shorty]

75259 Peter Ingram Passed away 14/3/2011

Funeral Saturday 19 th at Harewood Crematorium Chapel
507 Johns Road. at 3.30 pm

Peters intake to the RNZAF with No 34 Draft, in 1950 and Air Radio

He served with 14 Squadron in Cyprus and Malta, as Air radio Communications as LAC and left in 1958 . Peter was 79

In later life Peter was the leading light with Ferry Mead Radio Preservation Society. A very old friend of Des Mc Nichol [dec]

[Dave Homewood]

That' sad. Pete Ingram wrote the book Cypress Safari about No. 14 Squadron's time in that country with its Vampires. He was a nice chap too.

[shorty]

Just received this one, Jack was on 14 in the late 60's also
Message from Ian Uffindell


Hi guys,

I had a call yesterday from Paul Brown, "Jolly" Jack's son and he informed me that the old legend had passed away in Australia back in November.

The dreaded Big C got him and he went very suddenly about six weeks after learning that he had it. Jack moved over there a couple of years ago and lived with his daughter. Spent his days sitting out on the balcony watching boats going up and down the river.

Paul was in a rush and forgot to tell me where in Oz he was and never got contact details either.

Trees will you put it out thru the system please, there are a lot of guys out there wondering what ever became of him. He was a retired W/O Engine Fitter and served on 14 Squadron at Tengah c1955,56, 57 and ERS at WB for years then Wigram in the latter part of his time, the 70s. Others might know more but that should do it.

Uff

[Dave Homewood]

STANIFORTH, Frederick Clinton (Fred) Reg No 39183, Warrant Officer, RNZAF, WWII, of Feilding. On March 30, 2011 passed away peacefully at Palmerston North Hospital, aged 90 years young. Dearly loved husband of the late Vicki, much loved father and father- in-law of Celeste (Napier), Michael and Jenny (Ashhurst), Monica (U.K.), and Julie and Peter (Hastings), Treasured Grandad and great friend of Sophie, Samantha, and Thomas. "A true gentleman who will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all his family and friends." Requiem Mass will be celebrated for Fred at St Brigid's Catholic Church, Monmouth Street, Feilding on Saturday April 2, 2011 at 10.30am followed by interment at the Feilding Cemetery. Vigil Prayer will be recited at the Church Friday March 1, at 6pm. Messages to 12 Keith Elliott Street, Feilding. William Cotton & Sons Ltd, (Shane Cotton) FDANZ Ph [phone] Feilding

GOLDSBRO, Philip Walter (Phil). SN NZ 413598 RNZAF WW2 Vet. On March 30, 2011 peacefully at Whangarei Hospital. Dearly loved husband of the late Dorothy Goldsbro, much loved father of the late Rosemary Evans. Loved poppa of Chris. A service for Phil will be held at the Chapel of Morris & Morris Funerals (entrance 17 Western Hills Drive) Whau Valley Whangarei at 2.30pm Wednesday April 6, 2011 followed by private cremation. Communications to the Goldsbro Family C/- PO Box 8043 Kensington Whangarei 0145.

Published in The New Zealand Herald on March 31, 2011

[Dave Homewood]

GIDDENS, Eric Alfred. RNZAF WW2 Pacific. Died in Tweed Heads Australia, 27 March. Son of Jack and Annie (late of Waihi), brother of Doug, Hazel, Bessie and Des (all deceased); and Jack (of Taupo). A private cremation has been held.

Published in The New Zealand Herald on April 2, 2011

[oj]

Phil Goldsboro was a one-time CEO of NZAIL/PAC. He was an ex Air-NZ implant (pre-retirement job, as it was for several others implanted from Air NZ).

One does not speak ill of the dead, but I am obliged for posterity's sake to report that his contribution in the role leaves absolutely nothing to say of merit.