Access to 489 Squadron history

[Dave Homewood]

Crews on Beaufighter Aircraft of RNZAF No. 489 Squadron
January 1944 to June 1945

Originally complied by E.D. Edwards; updated and varied by Derek Ball and Jean Elliott (errors and omissions excepted)

PILOT first line, NAVIGATOR(S) below pilot

Andrews EG (Bill) 421491 RNZAF
Tomlinson H RAAF

Baillie WR 416436 RNZAF
Billington HJ RAF

Baxter JW 4215001 RNZAF
(Unknown)

Bateup NR 415236 RNZAF
Reeves LN 428324 RNZAF

Bird AF 4212806 RNZAF
Davidson DS 428231 RNZAF

Blampied HH DFC 1718 RNZAF
Smyth MW 429036 RNZAF

Bond KG 4215083 RNZAF
Clarke R

Branton PM DFC
Leach PW

Brice JC GM 2079 RNZAF
Henson RJ 426218 RNZAF

Brightwell JM 421497 RNZAF
Foy EJ 429048 RNZAF

Brittain CV 424418 RNZAF
Goulter CHB 429330 RNZAF

Burrowes EFG 416194 RNZAF
Young DA RAF & Goulter CHB 429330 RNZAF

Cadwallader AV 421673 RNZAF
Bolding T RAF

Calder SA 4215208 RNZAF
Brown J RAF

Cameron WI RAF
Wright LA (Laurie) RAF

Cannell RH (Roy) DFC RAF
OToole D DFC RAF

Carleton OB (Ossie) 4216032 RNZAF
Coldicott GM 42539 RNZAF

Carr AK 427093 RNZAF
McWilliam P J 429927 RNZAF

Carson WA 4211805 RNZAF
Kelly WA 427213 RNZAF

Chapman DL 414958 RNZAF
Freeman S DFC RAF

Cuss F
Priestnell H

Davidson TH DFC 412661 RNZAF
Alderman HD (The Duke) RAF

Dinsdale JA DSO, DFC RNZAF Act.W/Cdr 12/08/44
Lamb FR RAF

Edwards ED 4213389 RNZAF
Tilson RS 429043 RNZAF

Flay GA 421694 RNZAF
Clegg TR RAF

Fraser WA DFC, DFM 413051 RNZAF
Nash AS (Bert) 4210135 RNZAF

Fricker DJ RAF
Woodcock WR RAF

Garrison WR RAF
Hughes TE RAF

Gascoigne B 391699 RNZAF
Traill TJ RAF

Gow JG DFC 405053 RNZAF
Priestnell H

Graham MHJ DFM 425568 RNZAF
Clark IG 426238 RNZAF

HalI FE DFC 421047 RNZAF
Gordon BG (Jack) RAF

Hamilton GC 422064 RNZAF
Aldridge RA RAF

Hammond DH DSO, DFC and Bar 401493 W/Cdr 19/2/45 RNZAF
Park RJA DFC

Hay RJW 417058 RNZAF
Clements GR 425995 RNZAF

Hitchcock CW 421052 RNZAF
Kahla NL RAF

Hopkins 0 419850 RNZAF
Hedgecock AR RAF

Hughes PA DFC RAF
Spink FE DFC RAF

Jolley JI 43483 RNZAF
Morgan TAM 428142 RNZAF

Kellow SW DFC RAF
O'Toole I0 RAF

Knewstubb AH 413430 RNZAF
Unknown

Langley ML CGM 421067 RNZAF
Parish EG DFM RAF

Leech JJ 4211842 RNZAF
Tabom W RAF

Leslie RW 415702 RNZAF
Heffernan NA 423669 RNZAF

Lyell CI 413866 RNZAF
Hitchcock FN 4310172 RNZAF

Lynch AC 417073 RNZAF
Gifford PW RAF

Mann DH DFC 414316 RNZAF
Kennedy DM RAF

Marsh K 421386 RNZAF
Ward CJ 429065 RNZAF

McKegg HR 416512 RNZAF
Young DC RAF

Morrison JK 4216106 RNZAF
Wilkinson FR 429386 RNZAF

Mottram A J
Brown W / Tilley

Moynihan FK DFC 413005 RNZAF
Pollard CR

Naylor RA 425569 RNZAF
Reeves LN 428324 RNZAF

Nesbitt RB 4215949 RNZAF
Unknown

Nurse RW 4211842 RNZAF
Spacey EM RAF

O'Connor JJ 415007 RNZAF
Lowe AM RAF

Oliver JM 417096 RNZAF
Watts SW RAF

Osment AR DFC 539054 RNZAF
Bedford JH RAF

Parkin GG 415780 RNZAF
Nugent RL 427646 RNZAF

Pettitt IA 415780 RNZAF
Lowcock GH RAF

Phelan MJL 421756 RNZAF
Bolding T RAF

Priest RS DFC 428148 RNZAF
Ball DS 426237 RNZAF

Pulham RB 421761 RNZAF
Lang KH 423771 RNZAF

Reynolds JAJ 8421 RCAF
Summers JE RAF

Robertson LA W/Cdr 1036 RNZAF CO Aug 44 - Feb 45
Unknown

Sawyer KA DFC 421775 RNZAF
Duckworth WR

Shand R DFC 416546 RNZAF
Smith AE RAF

Shaw IG RNZAF
Unknown

Simpson JJ 414206 RNZAF
Lawlor J

Southernwood PP DFC 422438 RNZAF
Gray SL 425897 RNZAF

Stewart BD 425625 RNZAF
Clark PA RAF

Stourton BE RAF
White RL RAF

Stuchbery LR 412761 RNZAF
Ebert RS 13860 RAAF

Taylor EP DFC 421543 RNZAF
Webb HJ (Henry) 425319 RNZAF

Tonks RH 416556 RNZAF
Moore RD

Toombs WH 414359 NZAF
Lewis

Toon CJ 417129 RNZAF
Asher WG RAF

Tuck W 413516 RNZAF
Larnach FM 425319 RNZAF

Tunnicliffe DM DFC 421152 RNZAF
Haywood B RAF

Waterhouse EW (Bill) 42656 RNZAF
Nichols, Arthur Samuel RAF

Wright JAS 417145 RNZAF
McQuaker R

[Dave Homewood]

Vessels sunk or damaged by 489 NZ Squadron

Vessels sunk or damaged by 489 when operating as part of a strike wing. This was compiled by Roy Connors Nesbit from British and German records. It does not include the numerous escort vessels damaged by the strike wings This list does not include the numerous escort vessels damaged by the Strike Wings, nor any 489 sinkings etc before the Strike Wings were formed.
(Ref The Strike Wings)

6 Sep 1944
Rosafred 1496 tons - sunk
Breda 1261 tons - sunk
Emil 400 tons - sunk

8 Sep 1944
Hengelo 195 tons - sunk

11 Sep 1944
M 426 637 tons - sunk
M 462 637 tons - sunk

25 Sep 1944
M 471 637 tons - sunk
Jannetje – Vs. 423 107 tons - sunk

27 Nov 1944
Jersbek 2804 tons - damaged
Fidelitas 5740 tons - sunk

5 Dec 1944
Radbord 4354 tons - sunk
Albert Janus 2275 tons - sunk

9 Jan 1945
Sirius 938 tons - sunk
Blaaveis 50 tons - sunk

8 Mar 1945
Phoenicia 4124 tons - damaged
Heimdal 978 tons - damaged

23 Mar 1945
Lysaker 910 tons - sunk

24 Mar 1945
Thetis 2788 tons - sunk
Sarp 1116 tons - sunk

4 Apr 1945
Palmyra 3007 tons - damaged

7 Apr 1945
Oldenburg 4595 tons - ?

11 Apr 1945
M 2 772 tons - sunk

22 Apr 1945
Elmar 268 tons - sunk

23 Apr 1945
Ingerseks 4969 tons - sunk

[Dave Homewood]

I can add another crew to the crew list:
Pilot = Ron "Mac" McCaffey RNZAF (from Rotorua, not sure if surname spelled right)
Navigator = Walter James "Jim" Peters NZ4212600

This crew was together on both Beaufighters and Mosquitoes with No. 489 (NZ) Squadron

[davidnzl]

Information on the Squadron has been posted on Wikipedia and posted this and other websites where anyone can view it. In addition several public libraries and museums that have a copy available for people to read. These include

Holland/Norway
Egersund area - not sure of location of book. This is to be located near the crash site of 2 No 489 Squadron Beaufighter aircrew
Flyhistorisk Museum Sola
Lista Light Museum
Norwegian Aviation Museum

Offered to (but did not respond)
Military Aviation Museum, Holland
Royal Norwegian Air Force Museum

I also contacted several individuals and/or organisations in Germany and France - to offer a copy. I received no reply from

Australia
A W M Museum

no response from RAAF Museum

Canada / USA
Canada Aviation Museum

no response from

Canada Museum of Flight
RCAF Museum

New Zealand
RNZAF Museum
Christchurch Public Library
Dunedin Public Library
Wanaka Museum (NZ Fighter Pilots)\
Aviation Heritage - Omaka
Auckland War Memorial Museum
MoTaT
North Shore Brevet Club
RNZAF Whenuapai
Auckland City Museum
Massey University Library
National Library
VANZ
NZ Defence - I understand that some of these were to go to RNZAF Bases


Declined invitation to purchase
Wellington Public Library
Hamilton Public Library


Several also distributed throughout UK - this list is to come. They will include

near 489 Bases at;

Langham (Bluebell pub)
Dallachy (Fochabers)
Banff (Museum of Flight)
Aircrew Association collection (Yorkshire Air Museum)
and I believe at the RAF and I W Museums

Some of these books were donated by 489 Squadron Association, others by 489 Squadron personnel and their families. Several were purchased by the library / museum concerned. I would be grateful if this list could be published on your website, so that those who wish to read a copy of 489's story, can access it.

[davidnzl]

Sept 9, 2012 11:47:56 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

I can add another crew to the crew list:
Pilot = Ron "Mac" McCaffey RNZAF (from Rotorua, not sure if surname spelled right)
Navigator = Walter James "Jim" Peters NZ4212600

This crew was together on both Beaufighters and Mosquitoes with No. 489 (NZ) Squadron

Thanks Dave -

[elouisee882]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone may be able to help me with any information, stories or photos of my grandfather, Navigator RS Ebert 413860 RAAF. I believe he was the only Australian in Squadron 489. I know their plane went down in a Norwegian Fjord, near a town called Skånevik. The pilot died, yet he survived, being rescued from the water by 4 young boys in long boats. However, I would love any further information, stories or photos of himself, or the aircraft he flew on during his time in Squadron 489.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Elly

[davidnzl]

Hi Elly - I suggest that you start with sites.google.com/site/no489squadronassociation/ as this will give you links to further information re 489 Squadron; and how you can ask for a copy of the Squadron's unofficial history for your family. We look forward to hearing from you - kind regards - David Burrowes

[apteryx]

Flying Officer Neville Alexander Heffernan and Warrant Officer Raymond William Gibson Leslie died on 28 January 1945 and are buried in the CWGC section of Mallendal cemetery in Bergen, Norway. I have taken some photos of the headstones that I will endeavour to load here.

[nickl]

Hi, 
I came across your website whilst trawling the net for information about 489 squadron. My late Grandfather Arthur Samuel Nichols was a navigator in the RAF and he spent a good deal of time in this squadron flying in Beaufighters. His pilot was Bill Waterhouse RNZAF, we have a couple of small black and white photos of them in front of their aircraft. 

I read your listing of 489 crew members and noticed that Bill gets mentioned but his navigator is marked as unknown. Would it be possible to amend your list to incorporate my Grandfathers name?

My mum would be very interested to find out more about Bill Waterhouse, she wonders what became of him after the war, does he have a surviving family who could tell us more about him? My Grandmother Doris Nichols is still alive aged 98! Arthur passed away in 1994. He was very proud to have served in 489 and used to tell me stories about hunting for u-boats off the West coast of Scotland. 

I would be grateful for any other information about 489 squadron that i can pass on to my mum who finds it all very interesting. 

Best Regards

Nick Linstead

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Nick. I have amended the list above. Hopefully David Burrowes will amend his original list.

[dleech]

Please note that Leach PW is an incorrect spelling, his surname is Leech (and he is still around at 91!)

[dleech]

Aug 25, 2013 4:07:29 GMT 12 elouisee882 said:

Hi,

I'm hoping someone may be able to help me with any information, stories or photos of my grandfather, Navigator RS Ebert 413860 RAAF. I believe he was the only Australian in Squadron 489. I know their plane went down in a Norwegian Fjord, near a town called Skånevik. The pilot died, yet he survived, being rescued from the water by 4 young boys in long boats. However, I would love any further information, stories or photos of himself, or the aircraft he flew on during his time in Squadron 489.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Elly

[errolmartyn]

Elly,

From my trilogy For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998) :
Sun 28 Jan 1945
COASTAL COMMAND

Rover patrol off Bömmel Fjord, near Haugesund
489 Squadron, RNZAF (Dallachy, Morayshire - 18 Group)
Beaufighter TF.X NE779/A - took off at 1907, being one of five to leave at intervals throughout the evening and one of two which failed to return. Later discovered to have exploded on striking a rock 30 metres off the rocky shore of the small island of Foeuroy at 2115 while still carrying its torpedo. The bodies of the two crew, which had been thrown clear, were buried on 15 February in a joint grave at Bergen.
Pilot: NZ415702 Wt Off Raymond William Gibson LESLIE, RNZAF - Age 24. 1061hrs. 35th op.
Navigator: NZ423669 Fg Off Neville Alexander HEFFERNAN, RNZAF - Age 23. 362hrs. 34th op.

COASTAL COMMAND

489 Squadron, RNZAF (Dallachy, Morayshire - 18 Group)
Beaufighter TF.X NE538/E - took off at 1946 on same strike as the above and crashed into the water near Skinevik in Stromese Fjord(?). The RAAF navigator was rescued from the water and taken prisoner, while his pilot is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. (It appears that NE538 may have been ‘borrowed’ from 144 Sqn, RAF, which shared the same base.)
Pilot: NZ412761 Flt Lt Lloyd Robert STUCHBERY, RNZAF - Age 26. 606hrs. At least 32nd op.
Lost on his 23rd op with the Squadron, Stuchbery had also flown 8 ops with 236 Sqn, RAF, and carried out a number of ferry flights to the Middle East and India.

And from Vol Three (Biographies and Appendices):

STUCHBERY, Flight Lieutenant Lloyd Robert.
NZ412761; b Wyndham 8 Jul 18; Motueka DHS, Nelson Coll & Victoria Univ Coll; entomologist - Cawthorn Institute, Nelson. RNZAF Levin/ITW as Airman Pilot u/t 4 May 41, 3EFTS 15 Jun 41, emb for Canada 14 Aug 41, att RCAF 29 Aug 41, 2SFTS 2 Sep 41, Pilots Badge & Sgt/Comm 21 Nov 41, 31SGR RAF 1 Dec 41, 32OTU RAF (Beaufort) 5 Feb 42, RAF Ferry Cmd/Dorval 13 Jun 42, att RAF & flew a Hudson via Newfoundland to UK c.10 Sep 42, 3PRC 11 Sep 42, 5(C)OTU (Beaufort) 22 Dec 42 [att 1TTU (Beaufort) from c.6 Feb 43], 306FTU (Beaufort) 12 Mar 43, 1OADU (Beaufort) 13 Apr 43, flew a Beaufort to Egypt via Gibraltar, Algeria & Libya c.17-24 Apr 43, 22PTC 25 Apr [May?] 43, 5METS (Beaufort) 28 Apr 43, flew a Beaufort to India via Bahrein arr 24 Sep 43, by air to UK via Egypt, Algeria & Gibraltar arr 16 Oct 43, 1PDC 17 Oct 3, 2(C)OTU [disbanded 15.2.44] (Beaufighter) 9 Nov 43, 9(C)OTU (Beaufighter) 14 Feb 44, 236 Sqn (Beaufighter - 8 ops) 10 May 44, 489 Sqn RNZAF (Beaufighter - 23 ops) 6 Jul 44, kao 28 Jan 45. Runnymede Memorial - Panel 284. Son of James Andrew & Georgina Alexandrina Stuchbery (née Wilson), Ruby Bay nr Upper Moutere.

Errol

[angelsonefive]

Hi Errol,

A correction to your biography of F/L Stuchbery. It is the Cawthron Institute not Cawthorn.

Regards,

a15.

[errolmartyn]

Ta a15. Another one for the growing Amendments file!

Errol

[bdjc]

Jun 15, 2011 0:13:53 GMT 12 george1 said:

My dad, Flt Sgt George Burt, was English, but he served in 489 Squadron throughout WW2. I've been trying to find out how to get hold of a copy of the unofficial history edited by Burrowes to read, and also the DVD of the book launch.

The DVD publishers in New Zealand suggested I might be able to contact Brian and Oz Carlton through this forum to see if it is possible to buy a copy of the DVD.

Help getting hold of either the book or the DVD would be greatly appreciated.

I live in Solihull, England. My mum is still alive and would also love to see these.

Best wishes,

Richard Burt

Many thanks

[bdjc]

Hi Richard
Brian Carleton here my Dad was a pilot with 489 late in the war, his name was Oswald (Oz or Ozzie)passed away in 2014.
My self and friend create DVD of book launch ..
My contact [e-mail]

Regards
Brian Carleton

[longforgan]

Thought this was interesting from the 489 Squadron Association

A FINAL CALL TO 489 FAMILIES FOR ORDERS TO BE PLACED for David’s new book 489 Early Days; Beauforts, Blenheims
and Hampdens; a companion volume to 489: An Unofficial History of No 489 Torpedo Bomber Squadron, RNZAF 1941 to 1945,
which will soon be available. If you have confirmed in the last month or so please ignore this request. It is imperative that we have
confirmation of orders now as this will determine the number of books to be printed. Please also confirm in you do not require a
book. Contact details for NZ and UK on page 4.
Where possible, this work is told in the words of and with personal and official photographs provided by former Squadron
personnel, and others who were “there” at the time. Much of this information has previously not been published. This volume, as
the title suggests, is an account of:
a) The early days of No 489 Squadron personnel, their training (in New Zealand, Canada, UK and Rhodesia and South
Africa), Service (by some) with other Squadrons, and joining 489 Squadron
b) Recreational activities whilst training in Canada
c) The formation of No 489 Squadron
d) Acquisition of and training in the Beaufort, Blenheim and Hampden aircraft
e) Operations by the Hampden crews, including first hand accounts of attacks (and sinking) of German shipping
f) The mounting casualty rate (Coastal Command torpedo bomber aircrews had a 17% chance of completing their first
operational tour, this reduced to 3% for their subsequent tour)
g) Transition to Beaufighters at the end of 1943
It also provides a brief commentary on No 489 Squadron’s involvement in some significant events of that period, including
a) Operation Fuller; the British plan to counter the Channel Dash by German ships, Gneisnau, Prinz Eugen and
Scharnhorst
b) Anti submarine patrols in the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic, along the French and Norwegian coasts, and North of
Scotland
c) Anti-shipping and other missions near Norway d) Torpedo dropping (Beaufort and Hampden)
e) Assessing damage caused by attacks on shipping f) Air Search and Rescue operations
g) Challenges of long hours in the air h) Hampdens protecting Arctic convoys including :
a. Deployment of Nos 144 and 455 Squadrons to Russia b. Planned deployment of No 489 Squadron to Russia
This book, is being produced without reward, is primarily for former Squadron members and their families and is limited to 3
copies for any one 489 family. We will not be accepting orders from or on behalf of others at this time. There will be a limited
number of copies available for selected military and aviation museums and libraries across the world, so that No 489 Squadron’s
story can be available to researchers and members of the public. It will not be available for sale to the general public. The print
run is very limited, No reprint is anticipated.
Price to 489 families in NZ is $50.00 per volume—limited to 3 books per 489 family. Some additional postage costs may apply in
some instances, especially for UK members as we do not yet have final arrangements / costs for sending the books overseas.

[dleech]

Sorry this has taken me a while, but you have my father's name wrong. He was a navigator (Branton) the pilot. His name IS Leech PW, now 94 and still very much alive. I have a photo of him under a Beautifully with other crew (found it in the AWM archive). Now if I could find a way to copying it into this forum.......

[Dave Homewood]

Hi dleech, where does your Dad live now? if you send me the photo to [e-mail] I'll happily put it onto the page for you.