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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 17, 2015 21:58:07 GMT 12
Jenny Scott just posted this to the Wings Over New Zealand Show Facebook page: "Received sad news today that my friend Arthur Manz, ex RNZAF No. 6 and No. 5 Squadrons PBY captain passed away peacefully 15 September 2015." From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 : MANZ, Flight Lieutenant Arthur Herbert, mid. NZ401283; Born Wellington, 26 Feb 1917; RNZAF 7 May 1940 to 4 Nov 1946; Pilot. Citation Mention in Despatches (21 Jun 1946): For meritorious service during operations in the SPA. Served with 6 Sqn (Catalina) and post-war with 5 Sqn RNZAF (Catalina). Errol
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 17, 2015 22:01:59 GMT 12
SAUNDERS, Alister Keith (Kiwi) ex RNZAF 403992. Passed away peacefully Age 98, on the Gold Coast, surrounded by his loving family. Reunited once again with Beckie, the love of his life. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 : SAUNDERS, Flying Officer Alister Keith, DFC, Air Medal (US). NZ403992; Born Owaka, 26 Sep 1916; RNZAF 27 Oct 1940 to 5 May 1945; Pilot. Citation Air Medal (US) (17 Jul 1943): [277 Sqn RAF (Walrus)] For meritorious achievement in aerial flight when on 15th April 1943, as pilot of a Walrus aircraft, without regard to his personal safety, he successfully landed in a high sea and accomplished the rescue of a U.S. Army Air Force fighter pilot in distress. The courage and skill of Warrant Officer Saunders reflects credit upon himself and His Majesty’s Forces. Presented by Maj Gen Ira C Eaker at USAAF 8th Air Force Headquarters. At 1830 hours on 15 Apr 1943 W/O Saunders took off in a Walrus to rescue Lt Col Chesley G Peterson, USAAF, who had been forced down in the English Channel about 10 miles off the enemy coast. A landing was made in heavy seas which made the rescue difficult as the waves were at times breaking near the cockpit opening. After successfully getting Col Peterson on board and taking-off a 30-minute search was mounted for another American pilot in the sea in the same general area. The crew of the Walrus included two RAF air gunners, Flìght Sergeants R C Glew, DFM and F Gash, DFM. During the course of his many ASR flights Fg Off Saunders rescued 36 aircrew members. Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (4 Jul 1944): [277 Sqn RAF (Walrus)] In air/sea rescue operations this officer has displayed great courage and determination and has been responsible for rescuing many members of aircraft crew. On a recent occasion he was detailed to search for a pilot who had come down in the sea. Pilot Officer Saunders found him in a very heavy sea, being supported only by his safety jacket. Pilot Officer Saunders brought his aircraft down on to the water safely and with difficulty succeeded in getting his comrade aboard. He was unable to take off again, however, owing to the heavy running seas. Nevertheless, for the next hour, he taxied toward the coast. On the way the aircraft was severely buffeted and sustained damage. Further progress became impossible but, just before the aircraft began to sink, its occupants were taken aboard a vessel which had been ordered to their assistance. Pilot Officer Saunders resolution and devotion to duty were typical of that which he has shown in the execution of all his tasks. Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 17, 2015 22:14:15 GMT 12
Two interesting Flying Boat men there
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 18, 2015 13:09:51 GMT 12
SMITH, Alfred William (Bill) F/Sgt, RAF 623421 Died peacefully in his sleep aged 102 years. Loved and beloved husband of Mary for 63 years. Father of Kathleen, Ralph, John and Phillip. Grandfather of Sarah, Julia, Emily, Frazer, Eleanor, Sophie and Matthew. Great grandfather of Benjamin, Alexander and Joseph. A man of integrity and humour who will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A service for Bill will be held at the Silverdale and Districts RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay on Saturday 19th September 2015 at 10am. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the RSA Welfare Trust.
NIVEN, Nathele Norah (Nan) (nee Barnes) WAAF W1172. Loved wife of the late John (Jock). Dearly loved mother of the late Chris and the late Bunny, Jim and Anna, Elizabeth and Warren, Rachel, Richard and Carmen and Louis and Jane. Grandmother to John, Sarah; Fleur and Trevor, Louis and Kat, James and Helen, Rebecca and Todd, Robert and Sarah, Kate and Terry; Rosalind, Richie and Sarah, Andrew; Francesca, George, Peter, Thomas and Angus. Great Grandmother to Jasmine, Mathew; Jessica, Jeremy, Lola, Sebastian; Max; Roy and Heather. " We celebrate her life and remember her in our hearts." Funeral Service Monday, September 21 at 1.00pm at St Andrew's Church, 100 St Andrew's Road, Epsom. All communications to jimniven@clear.net.nz
And sadly one of our Cambridge WAAF's, Nancy Fisher: FISHER, Nancy Winifred Passed away peacefully at Resthaven Cambridge on 16th September 2015; aged 91 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Roy. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Ian and Margaret, and Mary. Loved Gran of Rob, Chris, Tom, and Georgia, and great grandma to Elliot and Charlie. Very special thanks to all the staff at Resthaven for their dedicated care of Mum. A service will be held at St Andrews Anglican Church, Cambridge, on Monday 21st September 2015 at 11am. Followed by interment at Pukerimu Cemetery. Grinter Funeral Services Ltd 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 22, 2015 10:44:33 GMT 12
Max Lambert has kindly sent through his obituary of 'Kiwi' Saunders for me to add here:
Noted New Zealand World War II air-sea rescue pilot “Kiwi” Saunders dies at 98.
A New Zealand World War II pilot awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and an American decoration for his role in the rescue of 40 airmen from the cold waters of the English Channel has died in a rest home on the Gold Coast, Queensland, just short of his 99th birthday. The former Flying Officer “Kiwi” Saunders died on Sept 11.
Saunders was known to everyone as “Kiwi” for the rest of his life from the moment his rescue flight arrived at Shoreham-on-Sea on England’s South Coast with other units to form 277 Squadron of the ASR service in December 1941. When he landed his aircraft at Shoreham an Australian noted his arrival - “another bloody Kiwi”.
Until mid-1944 he flew spotting operations on Lysanders, Defiants and finally Spitfires, looking for downed aircrew; or piloted Walruses and their successors, Sea Otters, to land on the choppy Channel and hold the little aircraft steady, sometimes in tumultuous seas, while his crew hauled in sodden, half-dead survivors. Sometimes they were dead.
He spotted or rescued British, American, Canadian, Dutch, German aircrew - and one fellow countryman. They were from Spitfires, Mosquitoes and Lancasters, American Fortresses, Liberators and Mitchells and German and other aircraft.
Saunders was born in Owaka, a tiny South Otago settlement, in 1916 and raised on a dairy farm. He had a short joyride in a plane when he was seven and was hooked on flying. From then on he took every opportunity to get into the air and when war broke out was close to soloing at the Otago Aero Club.
He was accepted for pilot training and enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 27 October 1940, easily got his wings and sailed for Britain in April 1941.
His first squadron was 132 at Peterhead, Scotland. From there he was posted to 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, a fighter unit at Westhampnett near Chichester. There he ran afoul of the then Flight Lieutenant Johnnie Johnson, later the RAF’s top-scoring pilot. Saunders had a stutter but only on the ground; never in the air when he was alone. He always remembered Johnson’s words - “You’re no use to me with that stutter so bugger off.” “You can’t blame him but he got it wrong,” Saunders recalled in an interview in 2013”.
After just 10 days with 616 Saunders was posted to the Lysander ASR flight at Friston on the cliff tops at Beachy Head on 12 October 1941. He never looked back and no one at the flight or later on 227 cared a toss about a slight stutter. Rescuing downed airmen turned out to be his forte. He ranged up and down the Channel and along the coast of occupied France looking for men in the water and calling on the rescue service to send aircraft or high speed launches to pick them up. Often it was Saunders who flew the pick-up amphibians. Some operations were easy, some were not. The Americans gave the New Zealander their Air Medal for plucking to safety one of their colonels, who’d force-landed his fighter in April 1943. Saunders was awarded the DFC in July 1944 for his “great courage and determination in many rescues”. The citation made special mention of his saving Canadian Spitfire pilot Mac Hume in stormy conditions 25 kilometres off the French coast near Dieppe on 3 May 1944. Hume had been in the water for more than an hour when Saunders put his Sea Otter down alongside the flier. He’d lost his one-man dinghy and had only his Mae West. “The sea was very rough and I knew there was not a hope in hell of getting off again but the poor guy was there, alive, and we had to go down.” Saunders made a skilful landing but waves damaged a float and the Otter began taking in water. The rescuers were just in time; Hume was suffering hypothermia. The crew pulled him in as daylight faded and then pumped furiously to keep the water level in the aircraft at bay as Saunders headed north, motoring slowly through big seas, progress painfully slow.
“We taxied the plane from about 10pm until 2am or 3am when a searching aircraft found us,” Saunders said. “Within an hour a high speed launch was alongside and took us all aboard.” The Otter was abandoned but another life had been saved. Not surprisingly Hume and Saunders became great friends and they had a riotous reunion at Saunders’ home in New Zealand years later. The New Zealander Saunders pulled from the water was Wellingtonian Jim Haugh, navigator on a Mosquito whose pilot flew too low over a glassy Channel. The plane plunged in. Both men emerged alive from the crash but the pilot, another New Zealander, disappeared. When they got Haugh aboard the crew thought he was dead but the Otter got him ashore in double quick time and the man revived in hospital. Post-war Saunders tried growing tomatoes in Central Otago, then spent fourteen years in what was then Southern Rhodesia doing contracting and civil engineering for a coal mine and operating a quarry supplying ballast for railways and stone for road works. After that he and his wife and children headed back to Shoreham and a garage business with a flourishing Triumph dealership. Later another move, back home to Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty to develop a kiwifruit orchard. Finally retirement and life in warmer Queensland where three of his four children and their families had gone. Saunders married an English woman, Rebecca Green, in November 1943 and was devastated when she died last year, three months after celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. He is survived by two daughters and two sons and their families. Alister Keith Saunders, DFC, Air Medal (US). Born Owaka, 26 September 1916, died Queensland, 11 September 2015.
(By Max Lambert, author of three books about NZers flying from Britain in WW II)
(End)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 23, 2015 13:16:35 GMT 12
BRIDGE, Max Rowan RNZAF NZ452959 Peacefully on 18th September 2015. Loved husband of the late Elinor, father of Joan, Christine and Alan. Father-in-law of Gary, Graham and Marie, grandad of Matthew, Theresa, Kathleen, Michelle, David, Steven, and Letitia. Special thanks to everyone at Keringle Park for all their kindness and care, also to the staff of Papakura Private Hospital who cared for Max in his final weeks. A service will be held at Fountains Memorial Chapel. Corner Elliot and Wood Streets, Papakura on Wednesday 23rd September at 11:00am.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 23, 2015 13:50:32 GMT 12
SQN LDR (RTD) Roland Reading Parsons (Roly) D82895 A & S (SEC) PARSONS, Roland Reading (Roly). At Paihia on 17 September 2015. Loved brother of Steve and Mel, Ken and Marion. Loved uncle of Nigel and Esther, Gavin, David and Renee. In accordance with Roly's wishes a private cremation has been held. Messages to the family may be sent to PO Box 77 Kaikohe 0440. Squire Funeral Services Kaikohe / Kawakawa
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Sarge
Flight Sergeant
ex Grocer and living Museum exhibit
Posts: 25
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Post by Sarge on Sept 23, 2015 15:09:47 GMT 12
Roly Parsons was well known for his ballooning exploits in the mid-1970's. Last I heard of him was his departure to the Middle East somewhere. Another piece of NZ history floats to the wild blue yonder. Vale Roly
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 23, 2015 18:43:49 GMT 12
We've lost another Cambridge airman. Bryan Cox just phoned to tell me that Bob Wright passed away. Bob attended the most recent Cambridge Forum Meet so some of you probably met him. He trained as a pilot in WWII but never got operational as the war ended.
WRIGHT, Robert Gray (Bob) Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on 20th September 2015; aged 90 years. Devoted husband of the late Betty. Very dearly loved and respected father and father-in-law of David and Rosemary Wright, Robyn and Ian Parkinson. Loved Grandad of Neil and Anna, Gemma and Camryn; Tim and Niki, and Joanna, and Great Grandad of Sophia. Thanks to Dr. Ann Pearson for her compassionate care. A special thanks to Resthaven for their care of Dad. A service to celebrate Bob's life will be held at Trinity St Pauls Church, Queen Street Cambridge, on Friday 25th September 2015 at 11am. Followed by interment at Pukerimu Cemetery.Grinter Funeral Services Ltd 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge
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Post by baronbeeza on Sept 23, 2015 19:10:51 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2015 12:21:24 GMT 12
PATON, Donald David (Don) L.A.C. RNZAF 4313922 89 years. 'Out after a great Innings' Wonderful husband of Connie and loved dad and dad-in-law of Judy, Dale (deceased), Kathy and Terry Small. Grandad of Guy and Kieran. A service for Don will be held at St Andrews Anglican Church, corner Queen and Tobin streets, Pukekohe, on Friday 25 September 2015, at 1.30pm, followed by private cremation. Communications to the Don Paton family C/- Grahams Funeral Services, West Street, Tuakau.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 25, 2015 11:35:32 GMT 12
DODD, Robert Ernest (Rob):NZ427263 RNZAF WW2 WO Of Woodville, on Wednesday 23 September 2015, (peacefully) at home, with his loving family at his side, in his 94th year. Very much loved husband of Phyl, in their 70th year of marriage. Loved Dad and father-in-law of Kathleen and Henry, Sue and Graeme (deceased), and Glenda and Russell. Treasured Poppa of his 11 grandies and 16 great-grandies. In lieu of a floral tribute, a donation made to Arohanui Hospice PO Box 5349, Palmerston North, would be appreciated or may be left at the service. Messages to Mrs P. Dodd, c/- PO Box 23, Pahiatua. A service to celebrate Rob's life will be held in The Salvation Army Citadel, McLean Street, Woodville, on Monday, 28 September 2015, at 1pm. Monarch Funeral Home Pahiatua 3766662
McISAAC, William John (Bill/ Willie) (Service No: 72582, Ex Warrant Officer RNZAF) On 22 September 2015 (peacefully) after a long illness at Tasman Care, aged 84 years. Dearly loved Husband and soulmate of Hazel. Dearly loved Father and Father-in-law of Glenda and Mark, Campbell and Jenny. Beloved Poppa of Tasha, Edward, Brad, Justin and Rhys, and Great Poppa of Joshua and Ally. Loved Brother of Joyce Hepple. Loved Brother-in-law of Norma and Dell and the late Shirley. Loved Uncle of all his Nieces and Nephews. Loved and remembered always. A service for Bill will be held in the Glen Eden Bowling Club, 25A Glendale Road, Glen Eden on Monday 28 September 2015 at 10:00 am, followed by interment at the Waipu Cemetery at 2:45 pm. All communications to the McIsaac family C/- Morrison Funeral Home, 220 Universal Drive, Henderson Auckland 0610.
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Post by shorty on Sept 26, 2015 9:48:10 GMT 12
Cpl (RTD) Anthony John Chatfield (Chatters) D81609 SDRVR RNZAF 25 November 1964 to 27 January 1983 More on Billy McIsaac Passed away on Monday 21 September 2015 in Blenheim.W/O (RTD) William John (Bill/Willie) McIsaac T72582 E FIT RNZAF 15 September 1948 to 14 September 1972
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 26, 2015 15:10:57 GMT 12
I'm sad to see Cambridge has lost another of its RNZAF airmen, my old mate Ray Tocker. Ray was the Cambridge RSA President formany years till his recent fight with cancer. He also served for many years on the Armistice in Cambridge committee. RIP.
TOCKER, Raymond William (Ray) (S.No.73469. Warrant Officer. RNZAF.) Passed away at home on 24th September 2015. Much loved husband of the late Barbara. Loving father of Catherine, and Alison Tocker, father-in-law of Rodney Smith, and grandfather of Dana, and Rhiannon Smith. Thanks to the many people who helped during Ray's last year and affirmed how valued Ray was in the community. In lieu of flowers donations to Cambridge R.S.A Welfare Fund would be appreciated and may be left at the service. A celebration of Ray's life will be held at St Andrews Anglican Church, Cambridge, on Wednesday 30th September 2015 at 1pm. Followed by private cremation.Grinter Funeral Services Ltd 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge
Ray was an RNZAF engineer and Flight Engineer, flying on Sunderlands. He was awarded the British Empire Medal after he hung upside down all the way from Wellington to Auckland in the hull of the Sunderland that had scraped Rongotai runway in 1959, repairing the hole enough to prevent real disaster when the aircraft finally alighted back on the water in Auckland.
Also: SMITH, Ethel Margaret (nee Wilson) Formerly of Feilding - 2165210 WRAFC, 76170 RNZAF Passed away peacefully surrounded by family early on Wednesday 23 September 2015 at North Shore Hospital. In her 90th year. Dearly beloved wife of James (Jim) and family, Gaye, Yvonne, Greg, Marty; the late Buck, Brian, Debbie, Christine; Lisa; Tanya, Kerryn; Richard, Kyle; James, Charlotte; Curtis, Kobi; and Maia. Thanks to all the hospital and St John North Shore Station staff for all their help. A private family service has been held. Communications to 8 Howard Road, Northcote.
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 26, 2015 15:45:05 GMT 12
I'm sad to see Cambridge has lost another of its RNZAF airmen, my old mate Ray Tocker. Ray was the Cambridge RSA President formany years till his recent fight with cancer. He also served for many years on the Armistice in Cambridge committee. RIP. TOCKER, Raymond William (Ray) (S.No.73469. Warrant Officer. RNZAF.) Passed away at home on 24th September 2015. Much loved husband of the late Barbara. Loving father of Catherine, and Alison Tocker, father-in-law of Rodney Smith, and grandfather of Dana, and Rhiannon Smith. Thanks to the many people who helped during Ray's last year and affirmed how valued Ray was in the community. In lieu of flowers donations to Cambridge R.S.A Welfare Fund would be appreciated and may be left at the service. A celebration of Ray's life will be held at St Andrews Anglican Church, Cambridge, on Wednesday 30th September 2015 at 1pm. Followed by private cremation.Grinter Funeral Services Ltd 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge Ray was an RNZAF engineer and Flight Engineer, flying on Sunderlands. He was awarded the British Empire Medal after he hung upside down all the way from Wellington to Auckland in the hull of the Sunderland that had scraped Rongotai runway in 1959, repairing the hole enough to prevent real disaster when the aircraft finally alighted back on the water in Auckland. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999: TOCKER, Warrant Officer Raymond William, (cvsa). H73469; Born Ohakune, 18 Jun 1931; RNZAF 14 Apr 1949 to 27 Apr 1973; Engine Fitter, then Flight Engineer. Citation Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (QB1960): Not available. The following is an extract from a letter to the then Sgt Tocker from the CAS - “This well earned award recognises your personal efforts in enabling the Sunderland damaged at the opening of Wellington Airport [on 25 Oct 1959] to carry out a safe landing on its return to Hobsonville.” Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 28, 2015 20:48:37 GMT 12
WOOD, Bruce Allan (Allan) Group Captain RNZAF (Retired). AFC, NZ432264 and L70184. Allan passed away at Sunset Lodge Resthome and Hospital, Blockhouse Bay, aged 91 years. Beloved partner and companion of Olga. Father and Father in law of Greg and Victoria, Elisabeth and George. Loving friend of Christopher, Glenn and the late Perry. Grandfather of Michael and wife Jill, Kate and husband Luke; Dan and Jack. Proud Great Grandfather of Ryan, Sebastian, Matthew Scarlett and Natalie. Forever in our hearts. Grateful thanks to Dr. Gary MacLachlan and the staff at Sunset Lodge for the care given to Allan. A celebration of Allan's life will be held in the Main Chapel of the Morrison Funeral Home, 220 Universal Drive, Henderson on Thursday 1 October 2015 at 12:30 pm.
HOWARD, Ernest Morvern RAF 2315598 ACI. On 24 September 2015 peacefully at home, aged 89 after a brief illness. Loved and loving husband of the late Phyllis. Much loved Dad of Allison, Fiona and Rob, Allister, Heather and Karl. Proud Grandad Ernie of Rosanna, Ryan, Blake, Georgia and Xavier. Loved son of Lizzie and Ernest Howard. Loving brother of Betty and the late Jim and families. Fondly remembered by family in England, Scotland and Canada. Our lovely big, strong and capable Dad is now reunited with Mum. Wonderful parents who worked hard for their family and enjoyed many fun times along the way. Dad, we are lucky to have had you for so long but are happy that you are now with Mum. We love you and will miss you forever. A Funeral Service for Ernest will be held in the Main Chapel of the Morrison Funeral Home, 220 Universal Drive, Henderson on Tuesday 29 September 2015 at 3:00 pm
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 28, 2015 21:23:42 GMT 12
WOOD, Bruce Allan (Allan) Group Captain RNZAF (Retired). AFC, NZ432264 and L70184. Allan passed away at Sunset Lodge Resthome and Hospital, Blockhouse Bay, aged 91 years. Beloved partner and companion of Olga. Father and Father in law of Greg and Victoria, Elisabeth and George. Loving friend of Christopher, Glenn and the late Perry. Grandfather of Michael and wife Jill, Kate and husband Luke; Dan and Jack. Proud Great Grandfather of Ryan, Sebastian, Matthew Scarlett and Natalie. Forever in our hearts. Grateful thanks to Dr. Gary MacLachlan and the staff at Sunset Lodge for the care given to Allan. A celebration of Allan's life will be held in the Main Chapel of the Morrison Funeral Home, 220 Universal Drive, Henderson on Thursday 1 October 2015 at 12:30 pm. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999: WOOD, Group Captain Bruce Allan, AFC, (cvsa). NZ432264 & L70184; Born Geraldine, 3 Aug 1924; RNZAF 20 Feb 1943 to 15 Oct 1945 & 5 Dec 1947 to 9 Sep 1970; Pilot. Citation Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (NY1953): Not available. Plt Off Wood served as a flying instructor at Woodbourne and Wigram during May 1944-Aug 1945. Post-war, following a tour of duty with 14 Sqn RNZAF (Corsair) in Japan, he again instructed at Wigram, from 1948 to 1952. For his valuable service as a flying instructor he was awarded a Queen’s Commendation. Citation Air Force Cross (NY1964): Squadron Leader Wood was appointed to command No 41 Squadron in November 1961 and has served continuously as the Officer Commanding the unit during a period of over two and a half years while the squadron has been based at Changi, Singapore, under the command and control of the Headquarters Far East Air Force as part of New Zealand’s contribution to the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve Force. During the whole of the period he has commanded No 41 Squadron, the unit has been engaged almost continuously on special operations, which it has performed expeditiously and effectively. Squadron Leader Wood has taken a full share of the flying commitment while continuing to discharge admirably the extra duties which have fallen to his lot as one of the senior representatives of the RNZAF in the theatre. He holds an above average Transport Command category which he has maintained in spite of the many administrative problems which have occupied much of his time. He has encouraged new crews and devoted care to their training in an unfamiliar theatre. He has a total of 5,025 flying hours, of which 225 hours have been flown in the last six months. The high morale and efficiency of No 41 Squadron is due largely to the splendid example set by Squadron Leader Wood both in the air and on the ground. Exceptionally gifted with flying skill and possessing administrative ability of the highest order, he has spared no effort to maintain the highest standard of efficiency in his squadron.
In 1965 Wg Cdr Wood led a team of RNZAF aircrew to the US for conversion onto the Hercules. For the outstanding performance of his duties at this time he was commended by HQ 839th Air Division, USAF, in a letter to the CAS as follows - “I would like to commend Wing Commander Bruce A Wood, for his outstanding ability in co-ordinating mission training and support requirements. He produced a harmonious relationship between personnel of your Air Force and the United States Air Force. He acted promptly and with superior judgement in matters requiring his action and was tactful in his efforts to obtain the best possible training for his command. Wing Commander Wood is a mission-oriented officer of the highest caliber. He also clearly demonstrated outstanding airmanship by his flight check score of ‘Outstanding’.” CO 41 Sqn RNZAF (Bristol Freighter) Nov 1961-Oct 1963. CO 40 Sqn RNZAF (Hastings/DC-6) Nov 1963-Nov 1964 and Apr 1965-Dec 1966 (Hastings/DC-6/Hercules). Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 29, 2015 20:56:48 GMT 12
ADAMS, Alfred Neil. WWII. RNZAF 4213187. Served: 12 Squadron (Wellingtons, Lancasters) RAF Bomber Command, Wickenby, UK. On Monday 28 September 2015 peacefully slipped away at home after a courageous battle, aged 94. Dearly loved husband of the late Noeline. Cherished father of Julie. Special adopted father of Ngaio, and adored Poppa of Emily. A service to celebrate Dad's life will be held at 1pm on Friday 2 October 2015 at Mangere Lawn Cemetery, 85 McKenzie Road, Mangere. Our special thanks to Dad's angels, friends and family, Mercy Hospice, medical people who have looked after Dad and his wonderful carers. Dad, if tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. Memories bring us closer. We are never far apart. You will never be forgotten. Always in our hearts. In lieu of flowers donations to Mercy Hospice would be appreciated. So many treasured memories. Rest in Peace. State of Grace East 09 5270366
LAIDLAW, Ian James Strang. RNZAF Flying Officer, WWII, J Force. Died peacefully at home on Sunday 27th September 2015, aged 90 years. Loved husband and friend of the late Phyllis, loved brother of Peggy and brother in law of the late Noel Weeks, and the late Una and Trum Tremewan. A special uncle of all his nieces and nephews and all their families. Loved and missed by us all. A celebration of Ian's life will be held at the Garden Chapel of Morrisons Funeral Home, 220 Universal Drive, Henderson at 2pm on Thursday 1st October 2015. in lieu of flowers donations to the Heart Foundation PO Box 17160 Greenlane, Auckland would be appreciated. All communications to c/- Ross Weeks 110 Carter Road, Oratia 0604.
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 29, 2015 21:33:11 GMT 12
LAIDLAW, Ian James Strang. RNZAF Flying Officer, WWII, J Force. Died peacefully at home on Sunday 27th September 2015, aged 90 years. Loved husband and friend of the late Phyllis, loved brother of Peggy and brother in law of the late Noel Weeks, and the late Una and Trum Tremewan. A special uncle of all his nieces and nephews and all their families. Loved and missed by us all. A celebration of Ian's life will be held at the Garden Chapel of Morrisons Funeral Home, 220 Universal Drive, Henderson at 2pm on Thursday 1st October 2015. in lieu of flowers donations to the Heart Foundation PO Box 17160 Greenlane, Auckland would be appreciated. All communications to c/- Ross Weeks 110 Carter Road, Oratia 0604. Service number was NZC439191. Errol
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 29, 2015 21:33:49 GMT 12
ADAMS, Alfred Neil. WWII. RNZAF 4213187. Served: 12 Squadron (Wellingtons, Lancasters) RAF Bomber Command, Wickenby, UK. On Monday 28 September 2015 peacefully slipped away at home after a courageous battle, aged 94. Dearly loved husband of the late Noeline. Cherished father of Julie. Special adopted father of Ngaio, and adored Poppa of Emily. A service to celebrate Dad's life will be held at 1pm on Friday 2 October 2015 at Mangere Lawn Cemetery, 85 McKenzie Road, Mangere. Our special thanks to Dad's angels, friends and family, Mercy Hospice, medical people who have looked after Dad and his wonderful carers. Dad, if tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. Memories bring us closer. We are never far apart. You will never be forgotten. Always in our hearts. In lieu of flowers donations to Mercy Hospice would be appreciated. So many treasured memories. Rest in Peace. State of Grace East 09 5270366 Service number should read NZ4213817. Errol
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