|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 18, 2011 18:45:08 GMT 12
I have been told that there was or is a man living here in Cambridge who was in the Fleet Air Arm, called Don Cameron. Does anyone know anything about him please?
There are no D. Camerons in the local phonebook so he may be no longer with us.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Red Baron on Mar 18, 2011 19:51:17 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 18, 2011 20:26:15 GMT 12
Thanks Warwick, I have had a couple of PM's with info on his topdressing career too. It's his wartime career that interests me the most. Apparently he was a POW of the Japanese.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 18, 2011 21:28:48 GMT 12
Whoa! I just realised I have his logbook!! When I was in Auckland last year I did research at the Auckland War Memorial Museum for my research into the General Reconnaissance Squadrons and I was looking at logbooks there. There happened to be a Fleet Air Arm logbook so along with the others I photographed it just as I thought it could make some interesting reading one day. I had no bloody idea he had a Cambridge connection. I had forgotten about it till just now and have not even looked at the logbook yet. The name Don Cameron was nagging in the back of my mind but I didn't know why, now I do! The logbook only had D. Cameron on it. Amazing co-incidence! I feel a bit silly now though for not realising.
I recall there were four logbooks, maybe five, only one was from the war and that's the one I photographed. The rest were topdressing. Gotta be him I think.
|
|
|
|
Post by errolmartyn on Mar 18, 2011 22:06:14 GMT 12
Thanks Warwick, I have had a couple of PM's with info on his topdressing career too. It's his wartime career that interests me the most. Apparently he was a POW of the Japanese. Also PoW in the Med in 1943 but later escaped. The only NZer to be PoW & bar?! Errol |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 18, 2011 22:26:02 GMT 12
Yes, isn't that an amazing tale. I wish I knew him when he was alive, I'd love to have talked with him. Does anyone know when he died? There cannot have been too many Allies at all in any service who were captured by both the Germans and the Japanese.
|
|
|
|
Post by errolmartyn on Mar 18, 2011 22:31:03 GMT 12
The Google reference given by Red Baron is not entirely accurate, Cameron was a PoW of the Japanese but for 3-4 months, not two years, and never in Singapore.
For a good account of Cameron's career see pages 233-280 of 'Cappy' Masters 'Memoirs of a Reluctant Batsman', Janus Publishing Co, London, 1995. Also described there is Cameron's pulling off a remarkable emergency landing when in a mid-air collision his Corsair lost 'about half my port wing shaved off from the wing root to the wing tip'. (No photo of his damaged aircraft in the book but I'm sure I've seen one published elsewhere.)
According to Waters Official History volume on the RNZN, Cameron was born in Christchurch on 23 Jul 1922.
Errol
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 18, 2011 23:36:57 GMT 12
Here's that Corsair, a photo from the back of Don Cameron's logbook. The other poor blighter was killed.  |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 18, 2011 23:41:13 GMT 12
Thanks for the tip on there being details in the Cappy Masters book. Funnily enough the chap who told me about Don Cameron being FAA and from Cambridge when he knew him, also mentioned he used to play golf with Cappy Masters. He reckoned Cappy was a really top bloke. Ron, the guy I was chatting to, was a Royal Marine aboard HMS Indefatigable, and was badly burned by the kamikaze that hit the ship in the opening of the Okinawa battle.
|
|
|
|
Post by errolmartyn on Mar 19, 2011 9:56:32 GMT 12
Here's that Corsair, a photo from the back of Don Cameron's logbook. The other poor blighter was killed. Dave, This pic really does highlight the amazing amount of damage Cameron's Corsair suffered and how lucky (and skilful) he was in getting back down again safely with what remained of it. Errol |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 19, 2011 11:42:19 GMT 12
Indeed. When I first saw this photo while in the musuem I was really taken aback. Note his caption says the other aircraft was minus a port wing when it went in. An interesting collision where two port wings are damaged.
|
|
|
|
Post by chinapilot on Apr 22, 2011 17:38:52 GMT 12
Dave - what a fantastic photo !
|
|
|
|
Post by thomarse on Nov 24, 2011 12:53:58 GMT 12
Did we establish for sure that Don was no longer with us?
I've just been lucky enough to be given "Beyond the Cabbage Tree" as a birthday gift, and there's a lot about Don in his Gisborne days.
|
|
|
|
Post by dakman on Nov 24, 2011 18:31:51 GMT 12
hi Thom is the book still available
cheers
Allan
|
|
|
|
Post by thomarse on Nov 25, 2011 7:36:39 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 28, 2019 14:43:03 GMT 12
I have discovered this excellent account of Don Cameron's escape from German custody in Italy, from the EVENING POST, 13 NOVEMBER 1943. Amazing stuff!
ESCAPE FROM ITALY
YOUNG WELLINGTONIAN
THROUGH ENEMY LINES
(Special P.A.> Correspondent.) Rec. noon. LONDON, Nov. 11.
Naples had fallen. It was being evacuated by the Germans, and the British were streaming into the city in jeeps. A dishevelled, bearded, grubby man crept stealthily and uncertainly on to the main road. He saw a jeep approaching. His eyes glowed with excitement, and then he rushed forward waving his arms, shouting "Stop!"
The driver of the jeep was a Royal Naval commando officer. He grinned at the waving figure, thinking he was merely another welcoming Italian.Then the tramp-like figure shouted, "Wait a minute. I am Sub-lieutenant Donald Cameron, of the Fleet Air Arm." The commando officer beamed with delight, shook hands, and said, "Hop in old boy." Then the jeep sped on to Naples.
That is how Donald Cameron, aged 21, of Wellington, ended a month's wandering in Italy after escaping from the Germans. He has now returned to England.
Lieutenant Cameron had arrived off Salerno with Seafires, covering an assault on September 9. It was about 10.30 a.m. He was flying on his second patrol, and could see the Isle of Capri 20 miles to the west, bathed in glorious sunshine. There were no Messerschmitts about, and the young New Zealander was thoroughly happy, flying his Seafire over the blue Mediterranean, but suddenly the engine spluttered. It was soon obvious that he would have to make a forced landing.
Cameron was then at 9000 feet. He dived towards the Italian shore with the, intention of landing on the beach. German gunners thought he was about to attack, and opened a barrage which splotched dark patches around the approaching Seafire. Then they saw the Seafire's flaps go down and watched the aircraft make a belly landing, sending up a cloud of sand. They hurried over and found the New Zealander covered with a heap of sand and unconscious. They dug him out and when he came to took him behind their lines.
Shells from British warships and troops at the other end of the beach were making life unhealthy. Cameron was ordered to dig a slit trench. He did it rather glumly, still feeling weak from being knocked out, and as he dug the trench he wondered idly if it would turn out to be his grave. Then he lay down in it. He lay there all day, listening to the British shells crumping all around the German positions.
CHASED BY THE BRITISH.
Darkness came, but the shelling kept on. At about midnight, exhausted from lack of food and weakness he fell fitfully asleep. The Germans wakened him at 4 a.m. He stumbled out of the trench and was pushed into an armoured car. They were evacuating the beaches, and now Cameron found himself being chased by the British. He sat humped up in the bottom of the car. He could see nothing but its sullen steel, and had to listen to British guns firing at it, the Germans replying from the car.
For eight hours the car rumbled on until it arrived at German headquarters. Four hours, later —26 hours after capture—Cameron had his first meal." Then, just before dark, he was ordered to "get into the side car of a motor-cycle and was driven to a temporary prison camp at Avellino.
Cameron introduced himself to several British and American fellow prisoners. They were told by the German n.c.o. that he had insufficient guards, and warned them that if any man escaped two others would be shot. He meant it, as it turned out; for next day, when about 60 Italian soldiers, including an officer, arrived the n.c.o. told them that as they had been fighting against Germany they would all be shot. They were.
Next day the prisoners were herded into trucks, each under the charge of an English or American officer. They set off for Capua, where there was a prisoners' camp, but they found that the R.A.F. had thoroughly bombed it to pieces, so the trucks were ordered to return to Avellino. During the jolting journey Cameron discussed plans for escape with an American intelligence officer whose parents were Italian and who could speak the language. They waited for a wide bend in the road, and then jumped. They tore into the woods and ran for 20 minutes and then dropped exhausted. They were not followed, so they began to walk and found a farmhouse. The Italians welcomed them warmly when they found out who they were gave them civilian clothes and 100 lira each, and told them where they could pick up a train which was taking discharged Italian soldiers home. The New Zealander and American found that train, and "jumped it."
JOURNEY TO FREEDOM.
Then began a long and seemingly endless journey. Cameron pretended to be asleep whenever an official came near, and the American did all the talking. Eventually the train made a long halt and they decided it would be safer to get off. They found a haystack in a vine field and went to sleep. They were awakened at midnight, by gunfire, and lay under the hay apprehensively, thinking that the Germans might be searching for them, but the Germans were actually firing at Italians who were attempting to get food from the station stores.
At daylight they breakfasted off grapes, returned to the station, and boarded another train. This took them to Cassino, where there were so many Germans that they decided to part for a time. Then they walked for two days and nights through the German lines to Capua. They had several " narrow escapes from British bombs, but kept out of the way of the Germans. They paid two lira each to cross the Volturno River, and took a train to a countryside station, paying four lira for their fare.
They found that the Germans were demanding discharge papers from Italians, so the American and the New Zealander decided to part again. Cameron made for open country, taking Vesuvius as his objective. He did not see the American again.
Cameron had now gone unshaven for several days and looked thoroughly suspicious, but the Italians were kind to him and helped him all they could. He eventually arrived at the foot of Vesuvius and found Italians gossiping around a well. Cameron was undecided what to do, but he took a chance: he went up to them and declared that he was English. They seemed delighted, and warned him that the Germans were everywhere. They hid him in a house for ten days and then introduced him to a party of Russians whom the Germans had brought to Italy to build roads.
The Italians told them that the British were advancing to Naples, so the New Zealander and five of the Russians decided to cross Vesuvius. It was a terrifying journey. They climbed over craters in pitch darkness and pouring rain, but next morning, drenched to the skin, they arrived at Torre del Greco. Cameron was so ill with fever that he lay in a vineyard all day. Then an Italian family tended him for three days. They could hear the British shelling getting nearer. Then a boy arrived with, a message from a friendly Italian. It was written on dirty paper. The note said: "Mister English and Americans stay in Torre del Greco. If you want something come to the country house, together with your friends, where, after having eaten, you can go to meet the troops. Sincerely, Antonio."
In a short time they met Antonio. He was as good as his word, and gave them food. Eventually they found the jeep as already described. They had their first bath and real meal in Castellammare. Now Cameron is in England, none the worse for his experiences.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 15, 2023 20:37:28 GMT 12
Here is another article on Don Cameron's escape, this one from The New Zealand Herald dated 13th of November 1943:
ESCAPE IN ITALY
AIRMAN'S EXPERIENCES
MONTH OF WANDERING
WELLINGTON PILOT
(Special Correspondent) (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov 12
The story of a month's meandering in Italy after escaping from the Germans is told by Sub-Lieutenant Donald Cameron, of Wellington, a member of the Fleet Air Arm, who is now in England.
Sub-Lieutenant Cameron had arrived off Salerno with Seafires covering the assault on September 9 and was flying on his second patrol when his engine spluttered, and it soon was obvious that he would have to make a forced landing. He dived toward the Italian shore and landed on a beach amid a cloud of sand.
Germans in the vicinity hurried over and found the New Zealander covered in a heap of sand and unconscious. They dug him out and when he recovered took him behind their lines. Shells from British warships and troops at the other end of the beach were making the position unhealthy, and Sub-Lieutenant Cameron was ordered to dig a slit trench. He lay there all day listening to British shells bursting all round the German positions.
Sixty Italians Shot
Next day the Germans evacuated the beaches, and Sub-Lieutenant Cameron, crouched in a car, found himself being chased by the British. Eventually he was driven to a temporary prison camp at Avellino, where he introduced himself to several Britons and Americans. They were told by a German non-commissioned officer that he had insufficient guards and warned them that it any man escaped two others would be shot. When about 60 Italian soldiers, including officers, arrived next day, the German told them that, as they had been fighting against Germany, they would all be shot, and they were.
During a journey from one prison camp to another, Sub-Lieutenant Cameron and an American intelligence officer whose parents were Italian, and who could speak the language, jumped from the vehicle and ran for 20 minutes into a wood until they dropped exhausted. They were not followed, so began walking and found a farmhouse.
Journeys by Train
The Italians welcomed them warmly and gave them civilian clothes and 100 lira each. The Italians told them where they could get a train which was taking discharged Italian soldiers home. The New Zealander and the American found the train and boarded it.
Then began a long and seemingly endless journey. Sub-Lieutenant Cameron pretended to sleep, whenever an official came near, and the American did the talking. Eventually the train made a long halt and they decided it would be safer to get off. They went to sleep in a haystack until awakened by Germans firing at Italians who attempted to get food from station stores.
After a breakfast of grapes, they returned to the station and boarded another train, which took them to Cassino. They walked for two days and nights through the German lines toward Capua, having several narrow escapes from British bombs.
The American and the New Zealander decided to part, and Sub-Lieutenant Cameron made for the open country, taking Vesuvius as his objective. He now had several days' growth of beard and looked thoroughly suspicious. but the Italians were kind to him and helped him all they could. He eventually arrived at the foot of Vesuvius.
British Reach Naples
Some Italians hid him in a house for 10 days and then introduced him to a party of Russians whom the Germans had brought to Italy to build roads. The Italians told them the British were advancing toward Naples, so the New Zealander and five Russians decided to cross Vesuvius. It was a terrifying journey. They climbed over craters in pitch darkness and pouring rain, but next morning they arrived at Torre del Greco.
Sub-Lieutenant Cameron was so ill with fever that he lay in a vineyard all day. Then an Italian family tended him for three days. They could hear the British shelling getting nearer.
Naples had fallen and it was being evacuated by the Germans, and the British were streaming into the city in jeeps. Dishevelled, bearded and dirty, Sub-Lieutenant Cameron went on to the main road and halted a jeep. The driver was a Royal Naval commando officer and he waved at the New Zealander, thinking he was merely another welcoming Italian. However, Sub-Lieutenant Cameron made himself known and was warmly received by the commando officer.
|
|
