|
|
Post by errolmartyn on May 1, 2012 9:59:30 GMT 12
BYRNE, Donald Edward (Don). 439309, RNZAF, WO Passed away peacefully on 30 April 2012 at North Shore Hospital, aged 89 years. Dearly loved husband of Nancy for 65 years. Loved father and father-in-law of Norm and Dia, Paul and Barbara, Martyn and Isabella, Kevin, Chris and Annica, Bryan, Richard and Kristen. Loved Grandfather of Kim, Nick, Kylie, Jacob, Sonya, Christine, Laura, Mitchell, Daniel, Brigette, Casey and Samantha, and a proud Great Grandfather. A service to celebrate Don's life will be held at the Silverdale RSA, 43a Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay at 10.00am on Thursday 3 May 2012, prior to private cremation. Byrne re-enlisted as NZ47312, as a WOp, on 3 Dec 47, and was renumbered as 72016 in Jan 48. Errol |
|
|
|
Post by phil82 on May 1, 2012 10:32:42 GMT 12
Fuller details on Tony Smith: SMITH, A P J (Tony). Regt No. K84534 Sgt RNZAF Clerk Accts, Also Corrections Officer in Auckland and Brisbane for 20 years. On April 30, 2012 peacefully at Te Omanga Hospice after a 8 year struggle with dementia; Aged 58 years. Dearly loved husband of Debbie; loved father of Hope, Renee, Georgia and Cameron; loved Grandad of Mehki, Dru, Xavier, Jake and the late Semisi; loved brother of John, Debra and Maria. A service to celebrate Tony's life will be held in Cornwall Manor, cnr Knights Rd and Cornwall St, Lower Hutt on Thursday May 3, 2012 at 2:00pm, followed by private cremation. All messages can be sent to "the Smith family" c/o PO Box 30 127, Lower Hutt 5040. Gee & Hickton tel (04) 566-3103 www.geeandhickton.co.nz FDANZ . Bloody hell but that's too young to go Tony! |
|
|
|
Post by angelsonefive on May 1, 2012 10:41:48 GMT 12
I do not doubt that Roy McGowan was treated for burns at some point in his wartime service. What I am saying is that he did not suffer those burns on Sept. 15th 1940, nor at any time during the Battle of Britain (10th July to October 31st, 1940) as far as I can tell from two respected books on the subject, namely ' The Battle of Britain-Then and Now ' edited by Winston G.Ramsey and ' Battle of Britain Day-15 September 1940 ' by Dr Alfred Price. 'Respected' but wrong, it seems! I corresponded with Roy McGowan in 2004. On 7 April he wrote ". . . I had some burns etc from being shot down and baling out of a Hurricane on 15 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain. New Zealander Archie MacIndoe gave me some facial skin grafts . . ." Errol Errol, here is another source : www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/Diary/losses/15-Sep-losses.htmWith all respect to Roy McGowan, I suggest his recollection was faulty. |
|
|
|
Post by phil82 on May 1, 2012 11:17:27 GMT 12
'Respected' but wrong, it seems! I corresponded with Roy McGowan in 2004. On 7 April he wrote ". . . I had some burns etc from being shot down and baling out of a Hurricane on 15 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain. New Zealander Archie MacIndoe gave me some facial skin grafts . . ." Errol Errol, here is another source : www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/Diary/losses/15-Sep-losses.htmWith all respect to Roy McGowan, I suggest his recollection was faulty. It is my experience that when someone begins a sentence with "with respect" then they are about to make a comment which has no regard whatsoever to respect, and for sure none is being accorded to this gentleman. Perhaps you should demand an exhumation so you can take a photo of his hands? Did it ever occur to you that relatives may be reading your nit-picking comments? A war hero is dead, leave him be! |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 1, 2012 12:46:51 GMT 12
I understand that the much respected book "Men of the Battle of Britain" by Kenneth G. Wynn lists the details, I'd have thought he'd have checked the facts? When we interviewed him and he told the story to us, he pulled out the one logbook he could lay his hands on, and though it was not his first logbook sadly, which covered the pre-war and Battle of Norway/Battle of France flying, it does have this in the back page that signifies his operational flying ended abruptly in September 1940. It resumes after his medical treatment.  I don't know what can be said about the gap in the official records, maybe someone lost the paperwork? |
|
|
|
Post by phil82 on May 1, 2012 13:01:01 GMT 12
Phil, I have respect and more for Roy McGowan and men like him. I have admiration. There seems to be no point in continuing my search for the facts if it is going to upset people. As you say I will " leave him be." Ray. Thank you! |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 1, 2012 13:08:02 GMT 12
I think it is perfectly valid for Ray to ask the question, after all I may have had my facts wrong - although in this case I do know that is the date Roy told me, and it is also backed up on several websites around the internet.
Also looking around the internet I see Ray is not the only person to ask the same thing, as it has obviously been found before that the record doesn't match the date. But I do feel that Roy was completely genuine and the date was etched in his mind as that. Whether he has got it mixed up and told a load of people that daye i don't know, but he was definitely shot down in September 1940.
I may be able to find some more evidence and will keep looking.
|
|
|
|
Post by errolmartyn on May 1, 2012 14:38:30 GMT 12
'Respected' but wrong, it seems! I corresponded with Roy McGowan in 2004. On 7 April he wrote ". . . I had some burns etc from being shot down and baling out of a Hurricane on 15 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain. New Zealander Archie MacIndoe gave me some facial skin grafts . . ." Errol Errol, here is another source : www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/Diary/losses/15-Sep-losses.htmWith all respect to Roy McGowan, I suggest his recollection was faulty. The internet site you mention is notable for its lack of source references and for its omission of several New Zealanders (refer www.nzhistory.net.nz/files/documents/nz-battle-of-britain-list.pdf). Like all internet sources, it needs to be treated with a degree of caution. Errol |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 1, 2012 16:33:53 GMT 12
It's been some time since I talked with Roy but I am almost certain he said that No. 46 Squadron lost several aircraft the day he was shot down.
|
|
|
|
Post by shorty on May 2, 2012 9:40:22 GMT 12
BYRNE, Donald Edward (Don) 439309 RNZAF WO.
Passed away peacefully
on 30 April 2012 at North Shore Hospital aged 89 years.
Dearly loved husband of Nancy for 65 years. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Norm and Dia, Paul and Barbara, Martyn and Isabella, Kevin, Chris and Annica, Bryan, Richard and Kristen etc.
A service to celebrate Don’s life will be held at the Silverdale RSA 43a Vipond Road Stanmore Bay at 10am on Thursday 3 May 2012 prior to private cremation.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 3, 2012 17:26:46 GMT 12
CAUTY, James Burlace (Jim), DFC. Service No. 42320, 90 Squadron RNZAF WWII. On 1 May 2012 at Maygrove Village, Orewa. Husband of the late Toni. Treasured father of Richard, Brian and Michael. Father-in- law of Karen, Anne and Tricia. Poppa of Victor, Philip, Rachel, Sarah, Jason and Shona. Poppa-poppa and JB of Spencer, Alia, Abby, Fletcher, Yazmin and Max. "Gentleman Jim." A Service will be held at the North Harbour Chapel of Dil's Funeral Services, 185 Schnapper Rock Road, Albany, on Saturday 5 May at 12.30pm followed by private cremation.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tony on May 3, 2012 21:38:52 GMT 12
CAUTY, James Burlace (Jim), DFC. Service No. 42320, 90 Squadron RNZAF WWII. Would that be 90 Sqn RAF or 490 Sqn RNZAF? |
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on May 3, 2012 21:51:23 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by errolmartyn on May 3, 2012 22:08:30 GMT 12
CAUTY, James Burlace (Jim), DFC. Service No. 42320, 90 Squadron RNZAF WWII. On 1 May 2012 at Maygrove Village, Orewa. Husband of the late Toni. Treasured father of Richard, Brian and Michael. Father-in- law of Karen, Anne and Tricia. Poppa of Victor, Philip, Rachel, Sarah, Jason and Shona. Poppa-poppa and JB of Spencer, Alia, Abby, Fletcher, Yazmin and Max. "Gentleman Jim." A Service will be held at the North Harbour Chapel of Dil's Funeral Services, 185 Schnapper Rock Road, Albany, on Saturday 5 May at 12.30pm followed by private cremation. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999: CAUTY, Flying Officer James Burlace, DFC. NZ42320; Born Carrock, Cumbria, England, 30 Apr 1919; RNZAF 25 Jan 1942 to 19 Jan 1946; Bomb Aimer. Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (27 Mar 1945): [90 Sqn RAF (Lancaster)] Pilot Officer Cauty has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty. Errol |
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on May 5, 2012 15:49:45 GMT 12
Jim was a nice guy with friends from Kaitaia to Akoroa. Remustered after 12 hours pilot training, Jim went through Canada 11 OTU Westcott onto 90 Squadron and completed a full tour. After a break instructing he was posted to 150 Sq. on May 1 1945 and served at Hemswell until repatriation. When asked how he got his DFC, Jim always said 'Just because "I Survived" a full tour, I was a bit rare then!'  This crew photo was taken on 23/11/44 after their final op to Gelsen Kirchen on ME860. L to R Jack Pitt (W/op) Jim Cauty (B/A), Ginger Mann (F/E) Jim Spanhake (Pilot, from Kaitaia), John Paton (Nav) Nobby Clark (Mid UG) Ron Case (RG) Jim also took some great sky photos, here is one.  Fly on Jim |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 5, 2012 17:23:53 GMT 12
FORBES, Neil Vincent. RNZN Ex Fleet Air Arm NZD2165. On May 3, 2012 (late of Takapuna). Loved husband of the late Lynne, loved father of Ian and Jill, Graham and Candy and Max and the late Julie, loved grandfather of Emma and Kieran, Natasha and Andrew. Aged 89 years. A service will be held at the North Harbour Chapel of Dil's Funeral Services, 185 Schnapper Rock Road, Albany on Thursday May 10 at 10.00am followed by private cremation. Communications to PO Box 89211, Torbay.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 9, 2012 13:03:23 GMT 12
I am very saddened to see that Keith Dockery has passed away, a really nice gentleman who started his RNZAF service as an instructor and later went onto Corsairs with No. 21 Squadron till being wounded in action and invalided home.  DOCKERY, Keith Henry. O.B.E., NZ421028 - FLT. LIEUT. RNZAF WW2. Loved husband of the late Noline and brother of the late Beryl, Bob and Nola. A service for Keith will be held at The Dunstall Memorial Chapel, Edwardes Street, Napier on Wednesday May 9, 2012 at 2pm. Followed by a private cremation. In Lieu of flowers a donation to The Royal New Zealand Blind Foundation would be appreciated and may be left in the entrance to the chapel. Dunstalls Funeral Services. FDANZ, Napier. Also: MILLAR, John Edward (Irwin). - WO1 (Ret) RNZIR. WW2: 451979 - RNZAF 1945; Regt No 819569 - 2NZEF (Japan) 1946-47; K31680 - Regular Force New Zealand - Malaya, Singapore 1948-76. On May 7, 2012, in Christchurch, aged 84 years. Dearly loved husband of Annette (nee Montgomery). Loved father and father-in-law of Lorie-Jean and Brian Roff (Christchurch), John and Jo (Colgate). Eldest son of the late J. Halket Millar and the late Una Jane Millar (nee Keay). Brother and brother-in-law of Aslin (Hal) and Trish (Upper Hutt), Keay and the late Ken McCormack (Palmerston North), the late Ronella and the late Ronald Cometti (Orewa), Peter and Nita (Warkworth), Michael and Nolene (Cobden). Sincere thanks to the staff at Homestead Ilam Home & Hospital, and to Dr Colin Chin, for their wonderful care of John. Messages for the `John Millar Family' may be addressed c/- 19 London Street, Richmond, Christchurch 8013. No flowers by request please. A Funeral Service with full military honours will be held at the John Rhind Chapel, entry from Whitmore and London Street, Richmond, Christchurch on Tuesday May 15 at 1.00pm, followed by a private cremation. John has requested that medals be worn by those so entitled. |
|
|
|
Post by errolmartyn on May 9, 2012 13:53:30 GMT 12
I am very saddened to see that Keith Dockery has passed away, a really nice gentleman who started his RNZAF service as an instructor and later went onto Corsairs with No. 21 Squadron till being wounded in action and invalided home. DOCKERY, Keith Henry. O.B.E., NZ421028 - FLT. LIEUT. RNZAF WW2. Loved husband of the late Noline and brother of the late Beryl, Bob and Nola. A service for Keith will be held at The Dunstall Memorial Chapel, Edwardes Street, Napier on Wednesday May 9, 2012 at 2pm. Followed by a private cremation. In Lieu of flowers a donation to The Royal New Zealand Blind Foundation would be appreciated and may be left in the entrance to the chapel. Dunstalls Funeral Services. FDANZ, Napier. He's not in Colin Hanson's By Such Deeds, so his award of the OBE must have been for more peaceful endeavours. Errol |
|
|
|
Post by ngatimozart on May 9, 2012 16:32:36 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 9, 2012 18:26:20 GMT 12
Man, that is sad.
|
|
