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Post by sonofrnzaf on Jan 20, 2017 5:36:18 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 20, 2017 9:55:06 GMT 12
Our condolences.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 21, 2017 19:26:38 GMT 12
CURRY, Neville Lawson. 05 May 1935 - 18 January 2017; RNZAF 54th Sqn, Reg No 527962. Loved husband of the late Alice (Babe) Curry, Neville passed away on January 18, 2017. Father to Nick (Darwin), Ian, Dave and Helen; father-in-law to Mandy, Heather and James; Pops to Nicholas, Jessica and Nathaniel and Step-Grandfather to Carl and Nicky. A service to celebrate Nevilles life will be held at 11 am, 27th January 2017 at St Andrews Church, Dee St, Mount Maunganui. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Fred Hollows Foundation www.hollows.org.nz. Communication to the Curry Family C/- Hope Family Funerals, 4 Keenan Road, RD3, Tauranga 3173 THOM, David Alan. CBE, RNZAF # 436710, Flight Lieutenant. On 19 January 2017 at Middlemore Hospital, aged 92 years. Loved brother of the late Ian Thom and brother-in- law of Ellen. Much loved and respected uncle of Angela, Jo, Judith, Isobel, and Phil, will be sadly missed. "A life well lived." A service for David will be held in All Saints Anglican Church, Selwyn Road , Howick on Wednesday 25 January at 11am. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, 476 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024 would be appreciated or may be left at the service. MONK, Bernard Bruce (Bernie): (Service Number 4213785, Flight Officer, RNZAF) Peacefully after a short illness at Summerset Mountain View, New Plymouth, on Thursday 19th January 2017, aged 94. Loved husband of the late Ruth. Inspirational and loved Dad of Dale and Ken Lofton-Brook, Winston (deceased) and Karen, and Bruce. Grandad Bernie of Justin and Alison, and Nicola and Jason; Nicholas, Catherine, and William. Great-Grandad of Joel, Ella, Mia, and Eva. Father of Geoffrey Prestidge. "Wherever you go, go with all your heart". Messages can be sent to the Monk/Lofton-Brook families, c/- Eagars Funeral Services, PO Box 75, Stratford. Donations to the Alzheimer's Taranaki would be appreciated and can be left at the service. Bernie's life will be celebrated at the Taranaki Crematorium Chapel, 629 Junction Road, New Plymouth, on Wednesday 25th January 2017 at 11am, followed by a private committal. BOUVET, Alexander Frederick: Service No. 182813, Fl. Lieut. 77 Squadron, RAF, WWII. On January 18, 2017, peacefully at Summerset at Wigram Retirement Village, aged 93 years. Cherished husband and best friend of Marion, loved and respected dad of Alison McLeod, and Mark Bouvet, loved father-in-law of Michael McLeod, loved 'Gramps' of Aimee and Richard Trent, Adam, and Hannah McLeod; Claudia Bouvet, and proud great-grandfather of Zoe, and Mila. ~ Rest in Peace Alex ~ Thank you to Management and Staff at Summerset for their kindness and gentle care of Alex. Messages may be addressed to The Family of the late Alexander Bouvet, C/- PO Box 39001, Christchurch 9545. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Child Cancer Foundation would be appreciated and may be made at the Service. The Funeral Service for Alex will be held in the Harewood Crematorium Chapel, 15 Wilkinsons Road, via Gardiners Road, Harewood, on Monday, January 23, at 1.30pm. |
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Post by thomarse on Jan 22, 2017 10:41:33 GMT 12
I suspect this might be Bill Griffiths, ex-CFI of New Plymouth Aero Club and later General Aviation Inspector of CAA. May also have once been a Flight Testing Officer?
GRIFFITHS,
William Arthur (Bill):
On January 20, 2017, at Wellington Hospital. Aged 83 years. Dearly loved husband of Barbara. Much loved father and father-in-law of Alan & Caryn, Grant & Carolyn. Loved Grandad of Astley, Hayden, Luke and Evelyn. Loved brother of Margaret Mead (Manaia). A service to celebrate Bill's life will be held in Cedarwood, 17 Parata Street, Waikanae, on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 2.30pm, followed by private cremation at Kaitawa Crematorium.
Waikanae Funeral Home
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 23, 2017 8:37:47 GMT 12
CROTTY, Leonard John (Len): RNZAF 15th Sqn, Reg No 4216677. Born 31 July 1923, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, 20 January 2017. Loving husband of the late Pamela, beloved brother of the late Mary, the late George, the late Desmond, and Joy. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Andrea and Max Mûller, Philip and Elisa, Mary Lomas and Richard Nash, the late Gerard, and Tim and Roz. A much loved Grandad of Renate and Jordan; Nicholas, Alice, Simon, Anna and Sophie; Kieran, Thomas, Alan, Julia and Caitlin; Liam and Tegan and loved great-grandad of Charlotte, Adam and Manaia. Requiem Mass will be held at St Patrick's Catholic Church, 625 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu, at 1.00pm, Wednesday, 25 January 2017, followed by burial at Te Awamutu Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications please to the Crotty family, P O Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 24, 2017 20:17:46 GMT 12
Sad news, one of the original RNZAF Antarctic pilots has died:
CRANFIELD, William Joseph (Bill). RNZAF, Wing Commander (Retired), CE 816026, AFC. Passed away at Christchurch Public Hospital on Sunday 22 January 2017, aged 83. Loving husband of Helen for 61 years. Loved father and father-in- law of Jo and Steven, Katie and Selwyn, Shaun, and Myn. Much loved grandfather of Sarah, David, and Joshua; Brendon, Naomi, and Ruth; Harry, Jarrod, and Fynn. Great grandfather of eight and a half great grandchildren. Brother of Bob, John, Susan (deceased), Pat, and Sam. Brother-in-law and fishing companion of Bill Watson. Thank you to the ICU at Christchurch Public Hospital for their wonderful care. Messages to the Cranfield family c/o PO Box 10345, Christchurch 8145. A celebration of Bill's life will be held in St Andrew's at Rangi Ruru at 16 Merivale Lane, Christchurch, on Friday 27 January at 2:00pm. Private cremation thereafter.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jan 25, 2017 12:36:04 GMT 12
Sad news, one of the original RNZAF Antarctic pilots has died: CRANFIELD, William Joseph (Bill). RNZAF, Wing Commander (Retired), CE 816026, AFC. Passed away at Christchurch Public Hospital on Sunday 22 January 2017, aged 83. Loving husband of Helen for 61 years. Loved father and father-in- law of Jo and Steven, Katie and Selwyn, Shaun, and Myn. Much loved grandfather of Sarah, David, and Joshua; Brendon, Naomi, and Ruth; Harry, Jarrod, and Fynn. Great grandfather of eight and a half great grandchildren. Brother of Bob, John, Susan (deceased), Pat, and Sam. Brother-in-law and fishing companion of Bill Watson. Thank you to the ICU at Christchurch Public Hospital for their wonderful care. Messages to the Cranfield family c/o PO Box 10345, Christchurch 8145. A celebration of Bill's life will be held in St Andrew's at Rangi Ruru at 16 Merivale Lane, Christchurch, on Friday 27 January at 2:00pm. Private cremation thereafter. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 : CRANFIELD, Wing Commander William Joseph, AFC, (Polar Medal). K816026; Born Christchurch, 9 May 1933; RNZAF 23 Nov 1953 to 25 Nov 1982, Res. to 9 May 1983; Pilot. Citation Polar Medal (2 May 1958): In recognition of his services as a member of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Citation Air Force Cross (NY1961): Not available. For distinguished services in the air but particularly in recognition of the rescue of the crew of a crashed Beaver aircraft from a small glacier north of the Beardmore, Antarctica. CO 3 Sqn RNZAF (Bristol Freighter/Sioux) Aug 1965-Jan 1966. CO 41 Sqn RNZAF (Bristol Freighter) Nov 1967-Mar 1970. Errol |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 25, 2017 14:26:47 GMT 12
Larry Hill just phoned me with the sad news that our last New Zealand Battle of Britain pilot, Bernard Brown, has passed away. He was 99 years old. A sad day and the end of an era.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2017 15:49:44 GMT 12
That's incredibly sad news, Dave. The last of the Kiwi Few.
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Post by planewriting on Jan 25, 2017 16:13:38 GMT 12
Only yesterday I watched the "Battle of Britain" film on "my sky", how fitting. At the conclusion I thought, how many of those men are still around.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 27, 2017 14:26:41 GMT 12
Another Air Force person in Cambridge who I'd not been aware of...
GLASPEY, Kitrina: Reg No. L84029, CPL, RNZAF. Slipped away at Lifecare Cambridge on Wednesday, 25th January 2017. Dearly loved wife of Lewis. Beloved mother and mother-in-law of Roy & Michaela, Michelle & Graeme Rutten and Crispian. Loved Nana to Karl, Zak, Blade and Dana. Special thanks to the staff at Lifecare Cambridge.
"Will be sadly missed Kitten"
A celebration of Kitrina's life will be held at The Hamilton Park Chapel, Newstead, on Saturday, 28th of January 2017, at 11.00am. Donations to The Multiple Sclerosis Society, Waikato, would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications to the Glaspey Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2017 9:42:39 GMT 12
F/S (RTD) Barry Adlam T342970 TECH (M) RNZAF 16 Apr 1955 to 11 Oct 1979. Steve Adlam (SSUPLR) has advised via FB that his Dad, Barry Adlam RNZAF F/Sgt (40 & 75 Sqn) 1955-1979 Passed away at home in Brisbane on 24 Jan 2017. Barry’s funeral will be 10:00 AM on Thursday 2nd February at his home 56 Achilles Drive, Springwood QLD. Tele 07 3229 4178
LACW (RTD) Norma Patricia DELANEY 78986 WRNZAF 1957-1960. On Tuesday 24 January 2017, at the Levin Home for War Veterans, at the age of 85 years. Loved daughter of the late Emily and Patrick Delaney. A service to celebrate the life of Norma will be held at the Levin Home for War Veterans, Prouse Street, Levin, on Friday 27 January, at 11.00am, thereafter private cremation at Horowhenua Crematorium, Levin.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 136
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Post by clint on Jan 28, 2017 10:07:24 GMT 12
Sad to hear about Bernard Brown, if it wasn't for the forum I doubt we would have known as there doesn't appear to be any media stories on his passing (although I could be wrong). Added a link to a segment on Brown on the Battle of Britain Monument; bbm.org.uk/airmen/BrownBW.htm |
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Post by pjw4118 on Jan 28, 2017 16:21:16 GMT 12
J M Robertson on Jan 26 in Cromwell aged 100. Wireless operator 186 sq 1944 - 45
Jack trained in Canada at 32 OTU then to 4 (O) AFU , 29 OTU where he crewed with Flight Sergeant Hanson , 1651 HCU , 3 LFS and onto 186 sq at Tuddenham mid October 1944..
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2017 11:27:54 GMT 12
Further to Peter's post above, I assume this should be NZ415785, RNZAF
ROBERTSON, John MacKenzie: Of Cromwell (Dearest uncle and great-uncle) – RAF Squadron No. 186, MZ 415785 WAG, passed peacefully on 26 January 2017, at Ripponburn Rest Home, aged 100 years. Dearly loved husband of the late Dorothy and brother and brother-in-law of the late Mary and Fred Anderson, Helen (Nell) and Martin Gdanitz. A special thank you to the staff at Ripponburn Rest Home for your care.
Dear Uncle, we will forever by in awe of your courage.
Messages to Marie, C/- of Envisage, 11 The Mall, Cromwell 9310.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2017 15:57:45 GMT 12
I have just seen on Facebook that Sheryl Dampier has passed away today. She was a Flight Sergeant medic at Wigram Base Hospital when I was at Wigram in the early 1990's, and she was a grand lady.  |
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Post by lemuel on Jan 29, 2017 18:12:22 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2017 18:46:08 GMT 12
That piece was written by Max Lambert. He has also sent through the obituary for me to post here:
Last New Zealand Battle of Britain Pilot dead
Bernie Brown, last New Zealand veteran of the Battle of Britain, has died in Tauranga, just a few weeks
after his 99th birthday.
He died of pneumonia on 23 January his wife Elizabeth disclosed today.
Brown flew briefly with Royal Air Force fighter squadrons 610 and 72 before being shot down by a Messerschmitt at the height of the battle and slightly wounded.
Keith Lawrence who died in England in June last year was wrongly credited as the last New Zealander to have flown in the Battle of Britain but Brown, who never sought publicity, did not want the Lawrence story corrected at the time.
Born in Stratford in December 1917, Brown was working there as a postman when he applied for a Short Service Commission in the RAF in 1938.
He was accepted and sailed for Britain late that year. After graduation he was posted to an Army Cooperation unit flying Lysanders and operated over the front lines in France spotting the enemy before Dunkirk.
Brown then volunteered for pilot-short Fighter Command and went through the then-usual abrupt conversion to Spitfires.
An instructor told him: “Here’s the book of [Spitfire] pilot notes, learn it and get up there and fly it,” he was quoted in the 2011 book “Day After Day - New Zealanders in Fighter Command”.
Brown first served briefly with 610 at Biggin Hill but because the squadron was being transferred to Scotland for rest, newcomer Brown was posted to 72 Squadron.
Brown’s stay with 72 was short. Attacked from above and out of the sun, he was shot down by an Me 109 on 23 September 1940 on his second patrol with the squadron.
“A cannon shell came through the side of my aircraft, hit me in the left leg and exploded on the throttle box … I had no control … so I thought, ‘out you go.’
Brown landed by parachute in a marshy field on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent and couldn’t stand up - his leg was bloodied. He was quickly picked up and taken to hospital.
Recovered, the New Zealander was certified unfit to fly fighters in combat again because of his wound’s effect.
He instructed for a year in Rhodesia then saw out the war piloting for Transport and Ferry Commands.
Postwar he flew with British European Airways (now British Airways) for more than 30 year before returning to New Zealand and buying an orchard in the Bay of Plenty.
He married his wife, a BEA flight attendant, in 1965.
Flight Lieutenant Bernard Walter Brown, b Stratford 6 December 1917, died Tauranga 23 January 2017.
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Post by tengahman on Jan 29, 2017 20:44:52 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2017 23:38:57 GMT 12
I have received the following from new member Tengahman:
Dave,
I see from the death notices in the Dominion Post that "Ferg" has passed away. I dont know his RNZAF service no but he was a pilot back round mid 50s. He was lucky and survived a take off crash with 14Sqn at RAF Tengah on 04 Apr 56, flying a leased RAF Venom WR 272. The Venom was destroyed (Cat 5). After leaving RNZAF he joined CAA's Calibration Flight spending many years as a Capt on the DC3 and later the F27 being the Chief Pilot through to Cal Flts demise in 1991.
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