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Post by Dave Homewood on May 18, 2017 18:46:11 GMT 12
Today is not a good day. Following on from the sad news about Robyn's death this morning, I have just been informed that WONZ Forum member and awesome artist Ian Warren has also died today. He too had been battling cancer. RIP  |
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Post by skyhawkdon on May 18, 2017 20:11:32 GMT 12
Ian was indeed a very talented artist. The work he brought to the last Wigram forum meet to show us was incredible. RIP Ian.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2017 20:38:46 GMT 12
Ian was also a proflific flightsimmer, I met him over at NZFF more than a decade ago and we've been mates since. His loss will be very keenly felt in flightsim circles - despite his rather idiosyncratic posting style, which NZFF calls "Ianglish"!
A kindhearted, creative and very generous man. Rest in peace, Ian.
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Post by baz62 on May 18, 2017 21:39:49 GMT 12
That is sad news for the Reid family and very sad to hear Ian has passed away too.
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Post by oj on May 18, 2017 21:59:10 GMT 12
F/S (RTD) Eric (Timber) Woods 76661 Elect Fit RNZAF 21 Sep 53 to 18 Jan 1977 and Civilian Tech 9 Oct 89 to 15 Dec 1990 passed away in the Maxwell Care home in Blenheim on 16 May 2017. Funeral service to be at Sowmans chapel Hutcheson Street Blenheim Thursday 25 May at 1330. I had the pleasure of working with Timber at ASF Electrical Bay in the mid-sixties at Ohakea. Great experience and fun. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2017 10:39:57 GMT 12
HALL, Raymond Frank (Raymond). NZ4213081 RNZAF Pacific WWII Passed away peacefully on Tuesday 16th May 2017, aged 93 years. Dearly loved husband of Shirley. Loved father and father in law of Sally and Chris, Barry and the late Rin, Marilyn and John. Loved grandfather of Jeff, Jason, Vicky, Stephanie, Michael, Robert, Jessica, Rochelle, and Narisa. Loved great grandfather of Summerlea, Jackson, Hannah, Charlie, Thomas, Oliver, and Sophia. Sincere thanks to staff of Mercy Hospice. Raymond lived a great full life, and will be dearly missed. A service to celebrate Raymond's life will be held in the All Saints Chapel, Purewa Crematorium, 100 St Johns Rd, St Heliers, Auckland, on Monday 22nd May at 1.30 pm. All communications for the Hall family can be sent c/o Morrisons PO Box 25-731, St Heliers, Auckland
And one from John Forrest on Facebook:
LAC (RTD) Quinton Spencer Natusch 71178 RNZAF of Henderson in Auckland passed away in North Shore Hospital on Wednedsay 17 May.
Loved husband of the late Jackie. Father of Tim,Peter and family. Funeral service will be held at the main chapel of the Morrison Funeral Home 220 Universal Drive Henderson on Monday the 25th of May at 3pm.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2017 10:40:53 GMT 12
REID, Robyn Jane:
Passed away 18 May 2017, surrounded by her family, aged 58. Dearly loved wife of Bill. Adored mother and mother in-law of Toby and Rachael, Sos and Sha. Treasured Grandmother of Ollie, Russ; and Arlo. Cherished sister of John, David and Nikki. Friend and Mentor to many. Messages c/- PO Box 33, Wakefield, Nelson 7052. In lieu of flowers donations to Bowel Cancer New Zealand, PO Box 301517, Albany 0752, Auckland, would be appreciated and may be made at the service. A celebration of Robyn's life will be held at Annesbrook Church, 40 Saxton Rd West, Stoke, Nelson, on Thursday 25 May, commencing at 1.00pm.
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Post by errolmartyn on May 19, 2017 11:34:09 GMT 12
And one from John Forrest on Facebook: LAC (RTD) Quinton (Sno) Natusch 71178 RNZAF of Henderson in Auckland passed away in North Shore Hospital on Wednedsay 17 May. Funeral detail are to be advised. Quinton Spencer Natusch enlisted as NZ46127 on 25 Mar 46 and was renumbered 71178 in January 1949. Errol |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2017 19:44:58 GMT 12
Forum member Ian Warren's funeral will be held at 10.30am on Wednesday 24th of May 2017 at Harewood Crematorium. www.cremsoc.co.nz/harewood/If you're not sure who I am referring to, this was Ian's profile rnzaf.proboards.com/user/229 And I took this not very good snap of Ian, in the bomber jacket, proudly showing off his awesome artworks to forum members at the October Forum Meet.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 20, 2017 10:49:02 GMT 12
What a shitty week it's been. More sad news. I have just read on the Air Force Museum of New Zealand's Facebook page that their former Engineering Officer, S/Ldr Sandy Currie, has died. They wrote the following? "It is with sadness that we heard of the passing of Squadron Leader (Retd) Sandy Currie MBE BEM at his home in Australia last week. Sandy laid the foundations for aircraft restoration here at Wigram and was a highly respected colleague of many staff and volunteers in the early days of our Museum. Sandy’s role at the Museum was the culmination of a long and illustrious career with the RNZAF. He joined in 1948 and served at RNZAF Station Whenuapai and with No. 41 Squadron in Singapore. His excellence in the technical field was acknowledged in 1962 with the award of the British Empire Medal. He was commissioned as an officer and posted to RNZAF Base Woodbourne in 1970 to oversee all technical activity there and later commanded No. 4 Technical Training School. Formally appointed Technical Officer of the newly-formed RNZAF Museum in 1984, he established the basis of the team which still works on our aircraft and technical collections today. Perhaps the best way to describe his contribution to the Museum is in the citation he received for his OBE in 1989: “Throughout his long career of forty years, Squadron Leader Currie has provided an exceptionally high standard of technical and administrative work. In training and in command, his leadership has been exemplary, none more so than during the twelve months immediately before the opening of the Museum… Squadron Leader Currie’s dedicated performance in the restoration, replication and refurbishment of vintage aircraft for display at the RNZAF Museum has been exceptional.” Sandy retired from the RNZAF in 1992. We offer Sandy’s family our condolences and acknowledge his huge contribution to the RNZAF and the Museum."  |
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2017 13:36:40 GMT 12
What a terrible week. Thanks for posting that, Dave.
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Post by colford on May 22, 2017 0:48:59 GMT 12
It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Squadron Leader Richard James Firth Mitchell, Distinguished Flying Cross, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on Wednesday 17 May 2017, suddenly and peacefully at Paraparaumu, New Zealand. He had tried to join the Royal Air Force around the time of the Munich Crisis in 1938, but being under-age to join without his parent’s permission at the time, and not receiving it, he had instead enlisted as a Sapper (Engineer) in the Territorial Army. After the outbreak of war in September 1939, he was still too young for active service overseas and so was held back in the UK. He then spent much of the remainder of 1939 and all of 1940 laying beach-mines, building defence posts around Kentish airfields, mining bridges, and Margate pier, and many other things - preparing for the invasion that never came. In March 1941 a notice appeared on his Army unit’s notice board asking for volunteers for aircrew duties with the RAF. He was duly interviewed and accepted for aircrew training with the RAF. He did his Initial Training Wing at Newquay, Elementary Flight Training School (on Tiger Moths) at Hatfield, then his Service Flying Training School (on Yales and Harvards) at Swift Current, Saskatoon in Canada. Gaining his ‘Wings” he was also selected for an Officer’s Commission in the RAF. Returning to the UK, he did his operational training at 41 Operational Training Unit, the Army Co-operation/Tactical Reconnaissance school at Old Sarum, before being posted to No.171 Squadron at Gatwick in early October 1942. That Squadron was disbanded four weeks later and so he was posted to what was then considered one of the ‘top’ fighter reconnaissance squadrons in the RAF at that time, No.268 Squadron, at that time flying the North American Mustang Mk.I. “Dick” as he was known to his family or “Mitch” as he was known to his wartime Air Force colleagues, served two operational tours as a low level Tactical Reconnaissance pilot. His first from November 1942 until May 1944, flying Mustang Mk.I and Mk.IA aircraft with No.268 (FR) Squadron Royal Air Force. During that time he served alongside a number of other pilots from Commonwealth nations including Australia, British Caribbean, Canada, India and New Zealand, as well as pilots from the USA and Poland. Amongst his lesser known but no less notable achievements, was acting as a trials pilot for a number of experimental camera installations being developed for the Mustang and he in fact flew the successful series of trial flights with the vertical camera installation developed at Squadron level for the Mustang Mk.I, that was later adopted as the standard for that type with the RAF. He then spent some months ‘on rest’ as a Flight Lieutenant with the operational/planning staff of 35(Recce) Wing RAF. ‘On Rest’ may be an understatement as in this time he was heavily occupied in planning Wing operations for the conduct of the Normandy Invasion and subsequent move of the Wing through a number of Advanced Landing Grounds as the Allied Armies advanced across Northern France and Belgium into the Netherlands following the Normandy invasion. He returned to operations for his second tour as a senior flight commander with No.268(FR) Squadron at the start of October 1944 and remained with that Squadron flying operations on Mustang Mk.IA and MK.II aircraft until posted in late March 1945 to take over command of No.II(AC) Squadron on promotion to Squadron Leader where he flew Spitfire FR.XIVe and PR.XIX aircraft until April 1946. During his first tour of operations with No.268 (FR) Squadron he was recommended for and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross – Gazetted 25 January 1944. The citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to F/O RJF Mitchell stated: Flying Officer Mitchell has always displayed great keenness for operational flying, at all times being ready to undertake any task regardless of enemy opposition or adverse weather. He has attacked enemy barracks and participated in shipping escort duties, involving deep penetration into enemy territory, and air/sea rescue work. On one occasion his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and severely damaged. Nevertheless, this officer skillfully flew his aircraft back to this country where he made a masterly crash landing. A reliable pilot, Flying Officer Mitchell's fine leadership coupled with his navigational ability have resulted in many excellent photographs being obtained. The recommendation for the award of the DFC for F/O RJF Mitchell had been prepared by the Squadron’s Officer Commanding at the time, S/L AG Pallot, which included more details: Total Hours Flown on Operations: On Offensive Operations: - 47.30 )
On Coastal Patrols: - 16.10 ) – 63.40
Number of Sorties: On Offensive Operations: - 26
On Coastal Patrols: - 9
Since the beginning of this year this pilot has been engaged on operational flying. He has carried out over the NORTH SEA and HOLLAND 5 Lagoons, 1 escort for Naval M.T.B.s, and an offensive sweep near KNOCKE. During 3 Lagoons photographs were taken of convoys found, one of which was attacked later by BEAUFIGHTERS acting on the information.
In FEBRUARY, 1943 he took part in an attack on an S.S. Barracks at AMERSFOORT with six other aircraft. The flight entailed flying 550 miles. Intelligence sources confirmed later that casualties inflicted were 60 killed and 100 wounded. One DO.217 aircraft is also shared with two other pilots as damaged.
In May, 1943 accompanied by only one other aircraft he carried out a reconnaissance of the heavily defended DEN HELDER harbour, when a total of 20 ships were seen. In addition a convoy of 13 ships were located on the outward flight.
On all these flights the weather was adverse either for flying or for tactical purposes.
Since the beginning of June, 1943, based at ODIHAM, 9 Populars have been carried out with a high standard of photography. On one of these sorties the top of this pilot’s tail-fin was shot away by flak, jamming the rudder. Rather than lose his photographs, F/O Mitchell flew back to BEACHY HEAD where he carried out a successful crash-landing. He has also carried out an AIR-SEA Rescue search.
During OPERATION “STARKEY” he carried out 5 Tactical Reconnaissances which involved deep penetration into enemy occupied territory flying in pairs only, involving up to 195 miles over such territory. A very high standard of photographs was obtained.
Remarks of Squadron Commander S/L AG Pallot
F/O MITCHELL has at all times shown himself ready to carry out any operation whatever the hazards or difficulties. He is a very reliable and thorough pilot whose leadership in the air, coupled with his good navigation, has resulted in good information and very good photographs being obtained without casualty to those led by him. The fine example he sets to junior pilots is obvious.
Remarks of Officer Commanding No.35 Wing G/C PL Donkin DSO
I concur with the remarks of his Squadron Commander. Since this Squadron has been with 35 Wing, Mitchell’s sorties have been consistent in the accurate and efficient way they have been carried out.
In addition to the incidents noted in his DFC citation, he had on other occasions brought his aircraft damaged by enemy anti aircraft fire and the reconnaissance photographs carried by his aircraft’s reconnaissance camera(s) safely back to base. Not long after his return to operational flying in October 1944 he was forced to bail out of his Mustang aircraft when it developed a serious glycol coolant leak whilst over the front line and had to take to his parachute. Fortunately the breeze was in the right direction that day and carried him into the lines of Canadian Army units holding that part of the front. In baling out from his Mustang he had badly gashed his forehead on the canopy handle, which left him with a rather nasty wound on his forehead. In that instance he returned to the Squadron at their Advanced Landing Ground in a Canadian Army jeep, with his head wrapped in bandages like a turban and feeling no pain due to the copious amounts of Canadian Army medicinal rum he had been administered. He had thus also joined the Caterpillar Club. He flew numerous sorties in the first half of 1944 covering suspected and known V-1 launch sites in Northern France, conducted many sorties covering the planned invasion beaches in Normandy, transportation and military targets in France and Belgium, most within range of often intense and accurate light and medium anti aircraft fire. In another instance during his second tour of operations, in the preparation for the Allied crossing of the Rhine in early 1945, he had flown a very low level reconnaissance sortie along a heavily defended section of the Rhine near Leeuwen, being shot at by heavy concentrations of enemy anti-aircraft fire, at an altitude at times below 50 feet above the river surface, such that he passed below high tension electrical wires spanning the river. By VE-Day in May 1945 he had amassed 191 hours operational flying over 144 operational sorties. The majority of that operational flying was conducted at low level over enemy occupied territory. In April 1946 he left No.II(AC) Squadron and was posted to the School of Air Support at Rhine Army Training Centre, Gutersloh, as an instructor. He remained there until demobbed from the RAF in January 1947. After his RAF wartime and immediate post-War Service he emigrated from England to New Zealand, partly to seek a new life after the War, but also largely at the urging of a number of RNZAF pilots who had served with him on No.268 (FR) Squadron and 35(Recce) Wing. One of them in fact sponsored his immigration to New Zealand from the UK. He then built a new life, career and family in New Zealand, eventually retiring to Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast, north-west of Wellington. He is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Sue (ex-WRAAF Bentley Priory plotter), and their family, which is spread across New Zealand and Australia. “Mitch” was one of two known surviving wartime pilots from No.268 (FR) Squadron RAF, there now only being one - who he had seen rescued in the Air-Sea Rescue search/sortie mentioned in his DFC citation.  Rest In Peace. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2017 0:59:02 GMT 12
Nice obituary there Col, I wish I'd had a chance to meet Mitch.
GRAY, Archibald Stewart (Stewart):
WW11 RNZAF,Reg No 422703 LAC.Peacefully at Cardrona Resthome, Putaruru, on Wednesday, 17th May 2017. After a full and active life, aged 96 years. Devoted husband of the late Kathleen. Loved father and father-in-law of Peter and Mary, Sidney and Susan, Mary and John Bray, Barbara and Ian Goodall, and a much loved grandfather of Simon, Timothy, Rebekah, Catherine, Rachael, Helen, Carissa, Elizabeth and Hilary, and a loved great-grandfather. A service to celebrate the life of Stewart will be held in the Tirau Co-Operating Parish, Main Road, Tirau, Wednesday, the 24th of May 2017, at 1.00pm, followed by the interment at The Tirau Cemetery, Tirau. Communications may be made to the Gray family c/- 6 Tamihana St, Matamata.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2017 12:07:39 GMT 12
SUTHERLAND, Noel William. RNZAF 422329 Special Ops. Peacefully on Tuesday 23 May 2017 at Summerset Karaka Retirement Village; aged 96 years. Dearly loved husband of the late Margaret. Loving father and father-in-law of Tony and Melva, and Roger and Suzanne. Grandfather of Megan, James, Nathan, Catherine, and Maritza. Great grandfather of Caitlin, Sophie, Ella, Pyper, Cullen, and Hayley. A celebration of Noel's life will be held in the Fountains Memorial Chapel, 35 Wood Street Papakura, on Friday 26 May at 1.30pm.
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Post by errolmartyn on May 24, 2017 12:33:08 GMT 12
SUTHERLAND, Noel William. RNZAF 422329 Special Ops. Peacefully on Tuesday 23 May 2017 at Summerset Karaka Retirement Village; aged 96 years. Dearly loved husband of the late Margaret. Loving father and father-in-law of Tony and Melva, and Roger and Suzanne. Grandfather of Megan, James, Nathan, Catherine, and Maritza. Great grandfather of Caitlin, Sophie, Ella, Pyper, Cullen, and Hayley. A celebration of Noel's life will be held in the Fountains Memorial Chapel, 35 Wood Street Papakura, on Friday 26 May at 1.30pm. Coincidentally, the forthcoming June issue of the AHSNZ's The Aero Historian features an article about Noel by Peter Wheeler. Errol |
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2017 14:08:13 GMT 12
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Post by pjw4118 on May 24, 2017 17:25:59 GMT 12
SUTHERLAND Noel , NZ 422329 DFC , on 23/5/17 .
Noel had recently moved from Hawkes Bay to Papakura to be near his family. He flew Stirlings on 190 sq towing gliders on D Day , Arnhem and over the Rhine. Most of his ops were SOE drops of agents and equipment over occupied Europe from France to Norway. His DFC ( IMM) was for the Arnhem drops over three days , on one 190 squadron sent 19 aircraft only three came through the other side . Sadly he wasnt able to be a guest at the SAS Anzac parade . Godspeed Noel.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 25, 2017 14:39:18 GMT 12
DOLAN, Ronald Noel. Peacefully at Selwyn Village on 24 May 2017. Aged 97. Service number NZ 415587 RNZAF and RAF with war service in UK and Europe. Beloved father and father in law of Janice and Garry Christian, Patsy and Peter Nicholas, Phillip Dolan and Colleen Dolan, and loved grandfather of Michael and wife Alisha, Deanna and husband Mike, David and Partner Celeste, Shevy and wife Kellie, Emerald and husband Ben, Nadia and husband Ash, Yasmin and partner Mike and Zane. Great Grandfather to Josephine, Michael and Matthew, Taylor and Evie and Thai and Lisette. Brother and brother in law to Avice Mauger and the late Jim Mauger, Judith and Don Massam of Wellington and the late Brian and Joy Dolan and Melva Dolan of Christchurch. Dad, you will always be remembered and missed terribly by all your family. Thanks to Doctor and Nursing staff at Sarah Selwyn, Selwyn Village, Pt Chevalier. A service will be held at the Pt Chevalier RSA 1136 Great North Road Pt Chevalier on Monday 29 May 2017 at 1130 am to be followed by light refreshments in the RSA Hall. Messages to Patsy Nicholas, 19 Argyle Street, Herne Bay.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 26, 2017 19:07:40 GMT 12
FISHER, Jack Francis Arnold: 11 June 1925 – 23 May 2017. Passed away peacefully, aged 91 years, at Parkwood Lodge, Waikanae. Born in London and lived in Rhodesia before moving to New Zealand in 1990. Dearly loved husband of Alice (deceased). Much loved Father and Father-in-law of Geoff, Louise, Glyn, Bob, Chris and Lynda. Loved Grandfather of Gina, Jacquie, Grant, Genny, Justin, Lloyd and Lauren and Great-grandfather to Harry. Jack was an RAF Pilot, a senior commissioned member of BSA Police, and a chartered Surveyor and Valuer. Special thanks to the staff at Parkwood for their excellent support throughout Jack's illness. A service to celebrate Jack's life will be held at 'Te Rama', 516 State Highway One, Waikanae, on Friday 2 June 2017 at 11.00 am. Any queries please to Geoff, 021680166
This one from Facebook:
Sgt SHEPHERD, Robert Asterly NZ4314160, 75686
Aircraft Hand/Ground (WWII RNZAF) Senior Supplier (postwar RNZAF).
The 1939-45 Star. The Pacific Star. The War Medal 1939-45. The NZ War Service Medal. The NZ Defence Service Medal with "Regular" Clasp.
It is with sadness I advise of the passing of another of our WWII heroes, Sgt Robert Shepherd, yesterday afternoon. Roberts funeral details are as follows:
When: TOMORROW Sat 27 May 17
Time: 1100h
Where: Lighthouse Function Centre, Harding Park, Dargaville.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 27, 2017 16:32:12 GMT 12
HEAZLEWOOD, Dorothy Isobelle Sarah (Dot): RAF ACW 2165322 Peacefully, on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Wesley Care, Christchurch, in her 101st year. Dearly loved wife of the late Charles (M.B.E). Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Rod and Joy, Richard and Gloria, Graham, and David. A dearly loved grandmother and great-grandmother. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Wesley Care for their love and care of Dorothy. Messages may be addressed to the Heazlewood family, C/- 19 London Street, Christchurch 8013. A Celebration of Dorothy's life will be held in the John Rhind Chapel, entry from London and Whitmore Streets, Richmond, on Monday, 29 May, at 1.00pm.
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