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Post by wanganui on Jan 19, 2013 4:49:20 GMT 12
The NZ airman "HRT Humphries" mentioned in the list praxis provided would in fact be Harold Roschill Thomas HUGHES. During his service from 1915 until his transfer to the unemployed list in 1919 he served with the RNAS, RFC and RAF.
Hughes served operationally as a DH-9 pilot with 107 Sqd and as such flew over Le Quesnoy while NZ troops including his brother assaulted the town.
Hughes returned to NZ on the SS Bremen in 1919 becoming a founding member of the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial) in 1923 resigning in 1926.
In 1973 he was president of the NZ 1914-1918 Airmen's Association before passing away in 1975.
If anyone has any further information on Hughes or photographs i'd be interested in hearing from them. Kerry.
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Post by nuuumannn on Aug 10, 2014 1:37:15 GMT 12
William M Angus, co founder of the Canterbury Aero Club served with the RNAS during the Gallipoli campaign with No.3 Wing. I'm looking for a bit more info on him, if I may.
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Post by errolmartyn on Aug 10, 2014 12:28:32 GMT 12
William M Angus, co founder of the Canterbury Aero Club served with the RNAS during the Gallipoli campaign with No.3 Wing. I'm looking for a bit more info on him, if I may. One of the founder members but I don't recall Bill ever claiming to be co-founder as such. Incidentally, the pre-war Canterbury (NZ) Aero Club was an entirely different animal to today's Canterbury Aero Club. The two were not connected in any way. Errol |
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Post by nuuumannn on Aug 10, 2014 14:12:55 GMT 12
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Post by Peter Lewis on Aug 10, 2014 21:40:10 GMT 12
Met Bill Angus a couple of times.
I gained the impression that he had been a used car dealer in Timaru.
Must have been successful at whatever - in his final years he lived on Paratai Drive, at that time the most expensive street in Auckland.
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Post by errolmartyn on Aug 10, 2014 23:46:30 GMT 12
Met Bill Angus a couple of times. I gained the impression that he had been a used car dealer in Timaru. Must have been successful at whatever - in his final years he lived on Paratai Drive, at that time the most expensive street in Auckland. As mentioned in my Volume Three of A Passion For Flight, in the 1930s he was manager of the Todd Motors agency in Timaru. During his time there he also built a Zogling glider (in his backyard) and was instrumental in forming a gliding club. Errol |
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Post by angelsonefive on Aug 18, 2014 11:30:06 GMT 12
I don't think I have seen Ivan Kight mentioned in the thread so far.
Ivan Louis Kight born 1896, died 8/2/31 in the crash of the Desoutter II ZK-ACA at North Clyde.
Qualified as a pilot in the RFC in 1916.
Attained Flt-Lt in the NZ Air Force (Territorial) and was still serving at the time of his death.
Associated with the Hood/Moncrieff flight and was in Sydney to see the plane off.
Barrister and solicitor by profession.
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Post by errolmartyn on Aug 18, 2014 13:22:28 GMT 12
I don't think I have seen Ivan Kight mentioned in the thread so far. Ivan Louis Kight born 1896, died 8/2/31 in the crash of the Desoutter II ZK-ACA at North Clyde. Qualified as a pilot in 1916. Retained Flt-Lt on leaving the Air Force. Associated with the Hood/Moncrieff flight and was in Sydney to see the plane off. Barrister and solicitor by profession at the time of his death. Kight though keen on aviation had a rather tragic career. Born at Wellington on 16 Dec 1895, he served as a 2nd Lt briefly with the RFC from 23 Feb to 2 Dec 1916. He resigned from the RFC following a loss of nerve on his second sortie with 60 Sqn. Kight was also a founding member of the New Zealand Air Force (territorial), on 14 Jun 1923, and was still serving as a member, as a flight lieutenant, when killed on 8 Feb 31. The Court of Inquiry found that Kight had attempted 'to turn at too low an altitude when his engine failed.' He did not hold a 'B' licence at the time but the Court considered 'that although [he] had not completed his [medical] examinations for a "B" Licence, in view of the special circumstances [at the time of the Hawke’s Bay earthquake] it was justifiable that he should have flown the machine.' He had flown over 200 hours, over 50 on the Desoutter. In a trial that followed, Wing Commander Grant Dalton’s evidence contradicted the Court of Inquiry: ‘he had come to the conclusion that the machine had stalled on a turn, a common cause of accidents. He would not have given Kight a B license. He did not consider him fit and would not have gone up with him. His Honour: What was the trouble with the man? Witness: Sir, Flight-Lieutenant Kight and I were great friends. I told him many times I wouldn't give him a B licence. I didn't think he was the right type to hold a commercial licence. I had seen him flying, but I wasn’t satisfied, although he was passed at Wigram and Hobsonville. Witness said he was at Hastings on February 8. He saw Captain Bolt there and Captain Bolt [who piloted most of the Desoutter flights] told him Kight was flying the de Soutter. Witness remarked to Captain Bolt at the time that he should not care to be with Kight in an emergency. Witness agreed be had written to Kight telling him to present himself for medical examination. He hoped to refuse him a B licence through the Medical Board.’ Errol |
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Post by angelsonefive on Aug 18, 2014 15:12:35 GMT 12
Thanks for the additional information, Errol.
I have edited my post accordingly.
I was aware that the Director of Air Services ( Grant-Dalton ) was opposed to Ivan Kight being granted a B Licence, but had no idea of the reason.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Aug 18, 2014 18:24:31 GMT 12
I think that G-D's stance over Kight caused some controversy.
Basically, if you establish some requirements for the issue of a licence and then if a person achieves all of those requirements, are you still able to withold that licence on the basis that you don't like that person/consider them incompetent/don't trust them?
An interesting ethical discussion!
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Post by errolmartyn on Aug 18, 2014 19:57:15 GMT 12
I think that G-D's stance over Kight caused some controversy. Basically, if you establish some requirements for the issue of a licence and then if a person achieves all of those requirements, are you still able to withold that licence on the basis that you don't like that person/consider them incompetent/don't trust them? An interesting ethical discussion! Kight was said to be 'suffering from neurasthenia, a form of disability which indicated the absence of nervous stability demanded by the air regulations.' Presumably G-D was relying on this as a reason for the Medical Board to not pass him as fit and thereby disqualify him as not having met all of the necessary requirements to hold a 'B' licence. The controversy was not about G-D's comments but whether or not Kight's not holding a B Licence was directly related to the cause of the crash. Errol |
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Post by angelsonefive on Aug 20, 2014 17:10:45 GMT 12
I think that G-D's stance over Kight caused some controversy. Basically, if you establish some requirements for the issue of a licence and then if a person achieves all of those requirements, are you still able to withold that licence on the basis that you don't like that person/consider them incompetent/don't trust them? An interesting ethical discussion! Ethics did not seem to come into it where Wing Commander S. Grant-Dalton was concerned. In September 1930 he was convicted and fined when found guilty of a particularly nasty case of cruelty to an animal, namely a neighbour's kitten. Here is a link to a Truth newspaper report at the time. Be warned, though. It makes disturbing reading. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NZTR19300911.2.8 |
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flymac
Pilot Officer
Posts: 45 
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Post by flymac on Sept 19, 2014 12:37:30 GMT 12
Lt William Leonard Harrison, originally enlisted in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles and he served at Gallipoli.
He transferred to the RFC on 1/3/1917, learnt to fly (not sure where?) and served with 65 Squadron flying Sopwith Camels.
65 Squadron went into action in October 1917 and Harrison was shot down and confirmed a prisoner of war on November 6th 1917.
He is photographed in the book Sopwith Camel - King of Combat by C Bowyer 1978, page 58. I have this photo but cannot upload it.
The story is that when Germany collapsed at the end of the war the POWs commandeered a train and drove it out of Germany.
He later went on to serve in the NZ Territorial Air Force between the wars - flying Bristol Fighters.
He is featured, Bill Harrison, in the photograph on page 111 of Bee Dawson's book Wigram, 2012
He piloted a Bristol fighter that met Charles Kingsford Smith and Southern Cross and escorted the Aussies to Wigram in September 1928.
He features in the photo on the wall at Omaka with Smithie and his crew.
During WW 2 he served in the RNZAF in NZ rising to the rank of Squadron Leader.
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 19, 2014 13:43:46 GMT 12
Lt William Leonard Harrison, originally enlisted in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles and he served at Gallipoli. He transferred to the RFC on 1/3/1917, learnt to fly (not sure where?) and served with 65 Squadron flying Sopwith Camels. 65 Squadron went into action in October 1917 and Harrison was shot down and confirmed a prisoner of war on November 6th 1917. He is photographed in the book Sopwith Camel - King of Combat by C Bowyer 1978, page 58. I have this photo but cannot upload it.The story is that when Germany collapsed at the end of the war the POWs commandeered a train and drove it out of Germany. He later went on to serve in the NZ Territorial Air Force between the wars - flying Bristol Fighters. He is featured, Bill Harrison, in the photograph on page 111 of Bee Dawson's book Wigram, 2012 He piloted a Bristol fighter that met Charles Kingsford Smith and Southern Cross and escorted the Aussies to Wigram in September 1928. He features in the photo on the wall at Omaka with Smithie and his crew. During WW 2 he served in the RNZAF in NZ rising to the rank of Squadron Leader. Harrison's military career: NZ Army T/F 1911; Canterbury Mounted Rifles NZEF ( 7/60) 15 Aug 1914 to 30 Apr 1917; RFC/RAF 1 Mar 1917 to 30 Dec 1918; NZAF 14 May 1924 to 1 Jan 1939; RNZAF 10 Nov 42 to 15 Nov 1943. I am intrigued by the story about the commandeering of the train. What is the source of this, please? Are you related to Harrison? Harrison arrived in London 27 Nov 1918 upon repatriation. The day of his arrival in England he reported that he had been captured at Paschendale and had carried out an unsuccessful attempt to burn his machine after it crashed, going on to state: Was leading a defensive patrol over Ypres. The weather being very misty we got too far over the enemy lines. We were attacked by large numbers of enemy scouts and during the action my machine[’s] controls were disabled. Crashed badly and injured my back. Brought down one enemy machine.Errol (Work in progress: Ack Emmas to Zeppelin Hunters – New Zealand airmen and airwomen in the Great War and Russia, 1914-1919.) |
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flymac
Pilot Officer
Posts: 45
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Post by flymac on Sept 19, 2014 17:46:21 GMT 12
Hi Errol.
I am his grandson.
The story about the train taken over by POWS was well known by his two sons (both flew in WW2, now deceased) and his daughter (my mother).
It has been handed down. But I have never been able to substantiate it as there clearly would have been a large number of POWs involved.
I discovered that overtime the family did have some memory lapses. His sons believed he flew in 56 squadron, but that was a 2 seater squadron
and we knew he was in a single seater fighter.
I did some research and discovered he served in 65 Squadron - change of numbers with time!
I am very pleased to read the report you quoted of his last flight in a Sopwith Camel. I had never read or had seen that before.
What makes it more poignant is that he reports that he was flying in the Passchendale area.
Will's brother Norman was to die of wounds in December during fighting at Passchendale.
I have no idea where he did his flying training, we have no log books or records of his flights, aircraft etc.
Your flight record is the first we are aware of that he was successful in shooting a German aircraft down and was in fact a Flight leader.
He did leave for the family a photo album take on Gallipoli, which i have. He was a keen photographer and I have the camera he purchased 2nd hand
when he returned to London after his service as a POW. But no records exist of his flying training and service, which I feel he may have documented by
taking a few snaps.
regards
Don'
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 19, 2014 19:14:53 GMT 12
Don,
If you care to email me at errol.martyn ATTT xtra.co.nz I can assist you with some further information about your grandfather.
Errol
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flymac
Pilot Officer
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Post by flymac on Sept 21, 2014 15:23:49 GMT 12
Hi Errol I would like to thank you publicly for your prompt and helpful assistance in sending me some history on my Grandfather I was unaware of. I must recognise your work in saving these historic documents and making them available to the public. I have mastered the putting up of pictures so will give this a go. The family have this picture of my Grandfather when he was declared a POW. I presume it came from the Defence Department. I have  Very much appreciated from myself and family. I have also through this website recognised some new photos of my father in some photos of 19 Squadron during his war service. This is with the help of the Corsair thread. This picture appeared in 1968 in the Ashburton Guardian. Anyone know where the RNZAF original is? It was taken in 1928 when the Southern Cross arrived at Wigram. My Grandfather originally with his brother operated a traction engine threshing machine in Canterbury harvesting cereal crops. He fought at Gallopoli, joined the RFC, flew Sopwith Camels, met Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and finished WW2 as a Wing Commander in the RNZAF. They were the golden years of aviation. regards Don  |
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 24, 2014 7:57:02 GMT 12
Looks like a good resource for researching these chaps: www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/page/26589-about-usAs part of our ‘First World War in the Air’ programme, we have started by sharing First World War Casualty Cards, the 1918 Muster Roll and 1918 Air Force List, detailed below. Exhibitions about the First World War in the air will be opening to the public at both London and Cosford in late 2014. The programme is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and BAE Systems. As RAF Storyvault develops further over the coming years leading to the RAF Centenary in 2018, we will also be looking for contributors to add personal and family stories and anecdotes about serving in the Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service and associated services. |
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Post by ringatu4 on Nov 13, 2014 20:49:35 GMT 12
Hi Dave, a noteworthy addition must be GPCAPT George Nicholls from Gisborne who flew with a night bomber squadron on the western front according to his bio, and of course later became the founding commandant of the ATC in NZ. He is in my view the leading airman the East Coast ever produced, and is now sadly forgotten....which is why I highlighted him in The King's Crew book. Rex
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 13, 2014 22:04:58 GMT 12
Thanks, but that's a big call - Geoff Fisken and Les Munro were also both from Gisborne, as was Tiny White. They all did pretty amazing things in their wartime careers. In fact Gisborne, for a small and remote town, actually churned out a lot of leading RNZAF members. Coupled with that and their own pretty unique Air Force station, as a town you could write a whole book on its Air Force connections in WWII.
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