Curious - Naval officers in RNZAF Air Sea Rescue

[Dave Homewood]

This comes from RNZAF Routine Orders No. 157, Part II Personnel - Officers
Commands, Appointments and Postings:

The undermentioned officers are attached to the Royal New Zealand Air Force and report to Overseas Training pool, Swanson, for Embarkation, with effect from 23rd March, 1945, and on completion are posted to No. 1 (Islands) Group, R.N.Z.A.F., for Air/Sea Rescue Duties:
Temporary Lieutenant Wynnleigh Murray MORTEN, R.N.Z.N.V.R.
Temporary Lieutenant Neil WATSON D.S.C., R.N.Z.N.V.R.
Temporary Lieutenant Robert Lorne CAMPBELL, R.N.Z.N.V.R.
Temporary Lieutenant Brian BLAKE, R.N.Z.N.V.R.
Temporary Lieutenant Jack Allingham MILLAR, R.N.Z.N.V.R.
Temporary Lieutenant John Arthur William OKEBY, R.N.Z.N.V.R.

Would these officers have been manning high speed rescue boats? They don't have (A) for air after their rank so I assume they were deck officers, not Fleet Air Arm aircrew. Does anyone have more on the RNZAF Air Sea Rescue crews, boats and history in the Pacific?

[emron]

Dave I’ve come across this old post and related to the Air Force Boats thread where there’s been further discussion. One of this list, Brian Blake (Sir Peter’s father) had gained plenty of experience of a variety of small fighting ships during his 3 years prior service with the Royal Navy in the coastal waters of the UK and beyond. He finished up in command of a Fairrmile C Motor Gun Boat before returning to NZ at the end of 1944. I’m sure the others shared similar backgrounds and this was the reason for their selection as they were well qualified to captain the smaller crash boats. According to family notes Brian completed this secondment in the Pacific in July 1945. I imagine that the replacement RNZAF crews had been trained by then and took over.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Ron.

[30sqnatc]

Temp Lt Neil Watson RNZVR was CO of MTB 453 serving in UK coastal waters. Received Distinguished Service Cross 21 Nov 44

Edit

Temp Lt JA Millar 1st Lt MTB 713 1943-44