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Post by billydogjamie on Jan 19, 2012 15:44:27 GMT 12
Does anyone have any information on Terry Kearns from 617 squadron? His son Jeffrey is my father making him my grandfather. Any information or photographs would be greatly recieved.
Many thanks
Jamie.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 19, 2012 15:59:18 GMT 12
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Post by billydogjamie on Jan 20, 2012 9:57:20 GMT 12
Thanks Dave. The information that we have is very vauge. It would appear that RSD kearns is the person that we are trying to trace. I need to find out more though and how the name "Terry" came about to be certain. Thanks for the links they made for interesting reading.
If anyone else has any info on RSD Kearns that they would share then I would be gratefull.
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 20, 2012 9:58:36 GMT 12
It is the same chap, I did a Google on Terry Kearns and came up with signed artwork and all sorts. Born in Reefton and arrived on the Squadron about the same time Len Chambers was posted off. The first few weeks of Sept 1943. I think the Squadron boss had just been killed along with most of Gibson's crew so it would have been a subdued welcome.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 20, 2012 12:27:19 GMT 12
I guess you refer to W/C George Holden who scucceeded Gibson. Did he fly with Gibson's crew?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 20, 2012 12:28:26 GMT 12
Jamie, have you seen your grandad's entry in the book By Such Deeds by Colin Hanson?
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 20, 2012 17:58:08 GMT 12
Dave, I may have it wrong as I read much of that history in one go the other night. I was surprised to see so much happening in that August/September period so may have the sequence a little out.
I will have another read now but it was the 9th through to the 20th of September 1943.
Len went to the selection centre down in London and within weeks he was posted off the Squadron. I was trying to see if he would have met Kearns on 617 because they were both Coasters. They may have even been on 75 Sqdn together.
I did note that Kearns was crewed with two other Kiwis on 617 Sqdn, I think they may have even come with him.
Time for another read of that diary.
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Post by billydogjamie on Jan 21, 2012 8:39:38 GMT 12
Once again thanks for the info. Have now ordered a copy of the book Such deeds.
Spent ages reading through the records last night so lots of leads to follow up this weekend.
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Post by oggie2620 on Jan 25, 2012 0:52:03 GMT 12
Dave, I may have it wrong as I read much of that history in one go the other night. I was surprised to see so much happening in that August/September period so may have the sequence a little out. I will have another read now but it was the 9th through to the 20th of September 1943. Len went to the selection centre down in London and within weeks he was posted off the Squadron. I was trying to see if he would have met Kearns on 617 because they were both Coasters. They may have even been on 75 Sqdn together. I did note that Kearns was crewed with two other Kiwis on 617 Sqdn, I think they may have even come with him. Time for another read of that diary. Baronbeeza/Billydog If they were on 75 together please contact Glen T because he might be able to confirm that. Glen would love to hear from you anyway if you are a rellie of a 75er and you havent already been in contact with him as we have a reunion coming up soon. Dave has the dates on here but its also on the Assn website. Dee |
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 25, 2012 7:03:06 GMT 12
 It was this photo I had in the back of my mind when I mentioned the West Coasters the other day. Unfortunately there is only one pilot in it and I doubt it would be Terry Kearns. I think chances are the pic is of some 75 Sqdn aircrew and probably taken sometime in 1942. RSD Kearns would have been Sgt then. I am surprised we have not seem more of Terry Kearns, and how he got the name Terry. |
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Post by harvard1041 on Jan 25, 2012 8:07:31 GMT 12
Hi Kev - kinda wish I knew more about Terry Kearns too - I remember my old man talking about him ( both being from Reefton and air force types - am sure they knew each other ) but never took much attention - being a young skin. Am I right in saying Kearns lived back on the Coast after the war but then lived in Australia ? Bit of a 617 Sqn connection in that on my Mum's side - FO Bruce Hosie - was a WOAG on 617 from Jan 44 thru to when he was killed in Oct 44 - 72 Ops - dead at age 21. First tour was on 75. My Mum & another relative were at the recent Bomber Command Assn meeting in Auckland and as well as meeting our good Moderator ( thanks for the photos Dave ! ) were pleasantly surprised to learn that Tony Iverson had dinner with Bruce Hosie the night before he was killed. I've a copy of his Log Book and might - or might not  have his .38 S&W revolver ( he posted it back to NZ just before he died - telling the RAF he 'lost' it ). Hosie's Grave in Choloy- France  His Crew on 617 - tall chap  Print done of their Final Op - bombing the Kembs Barrage - just south of Basel  Keen to learn more about Kearns however . Cheers Hvd1041 |
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 25, 2012 13:14:27 GMT 12
I guess you refer to W/C George Holden who scucceeded Gibson. Did he fly with Gibson's crew? Yes, from my reading of the records it appears that S/L Holden took over the crew during July shortly after he arrived on the Squadron. Gibson was then temporarily detached for his tour of North America. S/L Holden and crew were lost on the night of 15th/16th September. I believe Len Chambers had been posted out eff 11/9/43 and Terry Kearns posted in 20th. The posting dates are only administrative dates and may not necessarily mean the guys were about on that day. Travel and leave would have to be factored in. John, that is real interesting about the Reefton connections. If your thinking is correct and Terry did return to the coast he may have then made his way back to the UK and sign up for the RAF in 1950. They gave him F/L over two (almost)... which would be pretty good for starters. That being the case he must have had a very interesting life story. Jamie's father must have a good idea about the sequence of events there. Fascinating stuff. I would still like to know more about the Coasters in the 75 Sqdn pic. The only aircrew I met (apart from Len) were Raoul Wisker (definitely on 75). Jock Herdman and Tony Veale. Pat Harbidge was on Coastal Command or similar I believe. Len was from Karamea and two of the Scarletts from there were lost in the Pacific. Theo was in Plonky and Les died of injuries after a Ventura crash in Bougainville. www.ww2australia.gov.au/coastwatcher/supply-drops.htmlLes Scarlett and Len Chambers were cousins. |
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Post by errolmartyn on Jan 25, 2012 14:32:50 GMT 12
Kearns was appointed to a commission in the RAF on 18 Jan 50 (seniority 21 Aug 48) and retired from the service on 29 Mar 63 in the rank of squadron leader.
Errol
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 25, 2012 16:24:27 GMT 12
back to the UK and sign up for the RAF in 1950. They gave him F/L over two (almost)... which would be pretty good for starters. Yep, saying the same thing. Seniority date of Aug 1948 would get him to S/L that much earlier. Errol and other, any pics of Terry Kearns, or can we name the West Coasters in the pic ? Len Chambers is on the left. Do those other names come up in 75 Squadron anywhere ? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 25, 2012 17:54:57 GMT 12
It seems a little odd that Gibson's crew, who had all just completed a tour together when he was asked to do one more job (the Dams raid) and they volunteered to join him, were not stood down when he was. After all they were all on the same job, working as hard and were the lead crew. They must have been just as time expired as Guy Gibson was. He gets put on rest doding a glory tour and they had to keep on fighting, seems a bit odd.
Or was the several weeks of sitting around and partying after the raid considered as 'rest' for the whole squadron?
Also I was looking at that painting and wondering what the hell the artist was thinking having a fighter zooming through on the bomb run, it looks so out of place. This afternoon it came to me, I guess that is the CO in the target marking Mustang? It still looks out of place but not quite so as I'd thought.
I am sure that my late mate Joe McVicar came from Karamea origninally, definately somewhere there on the coast. He was in Hudsons with 4 Squadron and then Dakotas with 40 Squadron.
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Post by harvard1041 on Jan 25, 2012 18:49:09 GMT 12
Thanks for info on Kearns' RAF time - that might be spot on - my old man was in the UK 1960 to 1963 ( Henlow Eng O training ) and I know he did go to various reunions with serving Kiwi RAF guys - I imagine Kearns as one of the more famous surviving 617 people would be at such Reunions.
Where did he live after his second stint of RAF time - back in NZ ?
Hi Dave - on the painting of the Mustang - no - there was a Sqn of Mustang tasked with supressing the flak fire on the Kembs raid...the had 'High' Lancasters dropping Tallboys and 'Low' Lancasters dropping time delayed ones ( as shown in the Painting) - but unfortunately the low altitude guys ran into flak and two aircraft were shot down...day light, low altitude, defended target not being an easy Op.
As for photos - try the Reefton RSA - they used to have some photo albums various people had donated.
Cheers
Hvd1041
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 25, 2012 20:49:14 GMT 12
my old man was in the UK 1960 to 1963 Are you a Pom ? Born in England..  I have feeling Jamie is in the UK also. He may not be aware of the Reefton origins. I will ask about the RSA there but I think it may have closed, more probably merged with the Workingman's Club. They may be sitting on some good gen. |
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Post by angelsonefive on Jan 25, 2012 21:00:30 GMT 12
I hope this is not too far off topic, but as we are discussing a West Coaster serving with the RAF I thought I might ask. Can anyone provide further information about the following airman ? 405217 Sergeant (Obs.) Sydney Armory, RNZAF, from Runanga. Sydney Armory died on 29/6/42, aged 26, and is buried at Bassingbourn Cemetery. Does anyone know his unit or how he died ? www.flickr.com/photos/harlowirish/5488726358/ |
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Post by errolmartyn on Jan 25, 2012 21:06:31 GMT 12
"Also I was looking at that painting and wondering what the hell the artist was thinking having a fighter zooming through on the bomb run, it looks so out of place. This afternoon it came to me, I guess that is the CO in the target marking Mustang? It still looks out of place but not quite so as I'd thought."
The Mustangs were engaged on flak suppression duty. The target itself didn't require marking as it was so obvious to the attacking force.
Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 25, 2012 21:10:06 GMT 12
Good point Errol, it was daytime. Doh!
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have his .38 S&W revolver ( he posted it back to NZ just before he died - telling the RAF he 'lost' it ).
