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Post by angelsonefive on Sept 22, 2014 14:15:41 GMT 12
Hi Dirk and welcome to the forum.
No doubt Errol will be able to provide you with more information, but here is something to get you started on your quest.
Flying Officer Donald Francis Ignatius Hardman, service no. 411888, age 26, RNZAF, missing on a transit flight from Gibraltar to Portreath, Cornwall,in Mosquito PR Mk IV of 540 Squadron RAF, serial no. DK315 on 3/3/43.
With your relative on the flight was Sgt Bernard Herbert Cruikshank, service no. 637524, age 35, RAF.
Both men are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial to the Missing.
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 22, 2014 16:25:24 GMT 12
Hi Errol, I'm Donald Hardman great nephew, I don't know much info or history about my great uncle, I am very keen to learn more about him, If you can share any history that would be great and much appreciated Regards Dirk Hardman Dirk, From Volume One of my For Your Tomorrow trilogy (Fates: 1943-1998): Wed 3 Mar 1943 COASTAL COMMAND Transit from Gibraltar to Portreath, Cornwall 540 Squadron, RAF (Leuchars, Fifeshire; detachments at Gibraltar, and Benson, Oxfordshire - 16 Group) Mosquito PR.IV DK315 - lost without trace, the two crew being commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Pilot: NZ411888 Fg Off Donald Francis Ignatius HARDMAN, RNZAF - Age 26. 435hrs. 29th op. Interestingly, four of Hardman’s ops were undertaken with a detachment of 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit while it was briefly based in Northern Russia during late 1942.And from Volume Three (Biographies & Appendices): HARDMAN, Flying Officer Donald Francis Ignatius. NZ411888; b Freshford 8 Oct 16; Mount Cargill Sch [secondary by correspondence]; blacksmith/farm manager - St Patrick's Coll, Oamaru. RNZAF Levin/ITW as Airman Pilot u/t 23 Mar 41, 1EFTS 24 May 41, 1FTS 4 Jul 41, Pilots Badge [wef 16.8.41] & Sgt 27 Sep 41, att RAF & emb for UK 27 Oct 41, 3PRC 23 Dec 41, 3SGR 24 Jan 42, 1PRU [disbanded to form 540 & 542 Sqns 19.10.42 - Hardman to 540 Sqn] (Spitfire, Mosquito; 28 ops inc 4 in Russia) 16 Apr 42 [att 1BAS 28 Apr-4 May, 1PRU Det in Russia Sep-c.Oct], Comm 12 Jun 42, kao 3 Mar 43. Runnymede Memorial - Panel 197. Son of Edward James & Catherine Mary J Hardman (née Murchison), Dunedin. You could if you wish also request a free copy of your great uncle's service record from Personnel Records, New Zealand Defence Force, Trentham. See here for details: www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/Errol |
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wilfred
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by wilfred on Nov 6, 2022 17:39:10 GMT 12
A couple of questions which are eluding me: Does anyone know who the first New Zealander was to fly or crew a de Havilland Mosquito? And who was the first New Zealander/s to take the Mosquito into action against the enemy? |
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