New Zealand Airmen in WWI

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Errol.

[Dave Homewood]

Here is an article on WWI pilot Tiny White's flying career. From the New Zealand Herald dated the 17th of March 1939.

23 YEARS A PILOT

6500 HOURS' FLYING

SQUADRON-LEADER WHITE

RETIREMENT FROM SERVICE

DAYS WITH KINGSFORD SMITH

[By telegraph—own correspondent] NAPIER. Thursday

A career of 23 years as a pilot, during which he has spent 6500 hours in the air, will be brought to a close by Squadron-Leader Trevor W. White, when he accomplishes the Napier-Gisborne flight for Union Airways tomorrow evening. Squadron-Leader "White will retire from commercial flying after to-morrow.

Regarded as one of the most capable and cautious pilots in the Dominion, it was only recently that Squadron-Leader White was presented with an efficiency medal by Lord Galway. An old type of machine of the kind used in 1916 gave him his first experience of flying. Two years later, when he was engaged in active war service, he was shot down from a height of 18,000 ft. He landed in enemy territory and was a prisoner of war, his release following the armistice.

During his time in the air, Squadron-Leader White, who is a New Zealander by birth, was closely associated with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, and for 17 months they plied the Sydney-Newcastle service together, making three return trips daily in twin-engined machines. He was selected by Sir Charles to pilot a machine across the Tasman in 1934, but for certain reasons the flight was not made. He had been selected as chief pilot had Sir Charles' plans for the flotation of a company to operate aerial services in New Zealand been successfully financed.

Many of Squadron-Leader White's flying hours were recorded in control of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's Percival Gull machine, and he also looks back with pleasure on a considerable time spent in the Southern Cross. His flying activities in Australia went beyond more or less monotonous service flights. He recalls having flown into Central Australia on a geophysical survey and had other interesting experiences on several special trips to other parts of the Commonwealth from Sydney.

Squadron-Leader White carried out most of the early air surveys in the South Island. In this connection he mapped out routes on the West Coast and also in Central Otago. In 1935 he joined East Coast Airways, which plied between Napier and Gisborne, and with the absorption of that company by Union Airways he continued with the new controllers.

[Dave Homewood]

From The Press, dated 4th of December 1981.

New Zealand World War I airmen watching an aerobatic display at Wigram Air Force Base yesterday. In their first reunion for seven years the veterans also watched a passing-out parade and later attended a formal dinner hosted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal D. E. Jamieson.

[Dave Homewood]

I just discovered another New Zealand Airman from WWI (Errol Martyn probably knew about him but he'd not been mentioned here on the thread). Apparently a well known artist, illustrator and cartoonist, Stuart Reid became an Observer and then a Pilot in the RFC.

From the Otago Daily Times, 8th of March 1922:

MR STUART REID

A SUCCESSFUL DUNEDIN ARTIST.

BECOMES A NOTED AVIATOR.

Mr Stuart Reid, whose "Sketchers” were quite a feature many years ago, has just returned to Dunedin on a visit to his parents. Mr Reid has made great strides in his profession since he left here 13 years ago; he played an active part in the great war, and has travelled in many lands. He returns unspoiled by success; he is still the same genial personality, and, as is only natural, is more enthusiastic than ever in his an studies.

Mr Reid left for London in 1909, where he studied under John Hassall and Richard Jack, R.A.. meantime contributing sketches to the Sketch and other periodicals. He then went to Scotland, where he studied animal painting, and executed a number of commissions both for London and Scottish purchasers. He won the coveted anatomy prize of the Glasgow School of Art in 1910 from a large number of competitors.

In 1911 Mr Reid went to Germany, and attended a private school of art at Munich. He qualified to study at the Royal Academy of Munich, and received instruction under Heinrich Von Zugel, considered to be the greatest animal painter of modern times.

He was at the Royal Academy till a few months before the outbreak of war, when he returned to Scotland for a holiday. Mr Reid had been paying periodical visits from Germany to Glasgow, and in 1913 he held a very successful exhibition of animal paintings in the Scottish town. Mr James Brown, of Dunedin, happened to be in Glasgow at the time, and he bought “Mare and Foal” from this exhibition. It is now hung in the Dunedin Art Gallery.

About the same time Mr Reid was elected a member of the Glasgow Art Club — an important club, which numbers amongst its members D. Y. Cameron, R.A., and Morris Greiffen Hagen, A.R.A. Mr Reid has contributed fairly regularly to the exhibitions of the Glasgow Art Club and the Glasgow Institute of Painters.

At the outbreak of war Mr Reid joined the Scottish Horse Yeomanry. The brigadier at that time was Lord Tullibardine, now Duke of Athol. Mr Reid was speedily promoted to sergeant, and a few months later gained his commission. He was then attached to the Queen’s Bays at Aldershot, joined the First Brigade of Scottish Horse, and went to Gallipoli.

After the evacuation of Gallipoli Mr Reid went to Egypt, and served through the early part of the Sinai campaign. He then joined the Flying Corps as an observer, took part in the expedition to the Hedjaz in 1916, was invalided to Egypt, a few months later, then learnt to fly, and gained the rank of flight-commander. He had a wonderful experience in flying in Egypt and Palestine, both as an observer and a pilot, and obtained an invaluable collection of photographs.

After the armistice Mr Reid was sent Home from Egypt on leave, and there he received a commission to return to Palestine for the purpose of obtaining data on which to execute paintings for the Imperial War Museum. He flew over many parts of Palestine taking photographs, and also had several extensive trips in motor cars. The result has been most gratifying, as Mr Reid was enabled to construct incidents where soldiers gained the highest honours on the field of battle and convoy them to canvas. These pictures are now hung in the Imperial War Museum. London.

In Cairo in 1920 Mr Reid had a most successful exhibition of pencil sketches and water colours, and sold everything. It was in Cairo that he was married. The event created some stir, as his many comrades in the Flying Corps took the opportunity to indulge in most hazardous stunts.

Mr Reid was personally acquainted with the famous Colonel Lawrence, and another pleasant recollection is the fact that he was given the opportunity of making a pencil sketch of Prince Ali, brother of Emir Feisul of Irak. One of his greatest successes is his painting of Colonel R. M. Borton winning the V.C. in Palestine. The gallant colonel, with 11 men, captured a whole Turkish battery of 77’s. This picture is now on exhibition in the Bermondsey Town Hall.

Another fine picture depicts Lieutenant Macnamara winning the V.C. in Palestine. This is hung in the Imperial War Museum.

"The Ridley Tragedy” (Ridley was a flying man who was lost in the desert, and was supposed to have shot himself so that his comrade could have the rest of the little water left), “The Seward Exploit” (the pilot, who was an Olympic swimmer, to escape capture flew his machine into the sea, and, after a long swim, escaped), and other memorable feats have been painted by Mr Reid for the Imperial War Museum. These paintings, with others by well-known artists, form an imperishable record.

That the young New Zealander was entrusted with such an important commission is ample proof of the great success he has made in his profession.

Some years ago Mr Reid was well-known in local running circles, having competed successfully at a number of (he Otago Amateur Athletic Association’s open and championship meetings. Mr Reid proposes to hold an exhibition of animal and landscape studies in Dunedin and Christchurch in the near future.

[Dave Homewood]

Check out Stuart Reid's IWM paintings here:
www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BReid%2C%20Stuart%5D=on

[Antonio]

"He returns unspoiled by success"
What greater acolade can be bestowed on anyone?

[errolmartyn]

Stuart Reid's birth was registered as William Stuart Reid.

His father was William Reid, which presumably explains why the son commonly went by the name of Stuart Reid.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Errol. Were you aware of him already?

[errolmartyn]

Sept 22, 2023 13:10:33 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Thanks Errol. Were you aware of him already?

Yes, but have not yet explored him in depth - presently just wrapping up bios for the last of the M surnames (which surname letter forms quite a large chunk of the alphabet).

Cheers,
Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Here is one not previously on the list. From The Press, 23 August 1975:

World War I pilot dies

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Aug. 22.

A man who flew in the defence of London during World War I has died in Auckland, aged 88.

He was Mr Arthur Richmond Fairey, founder of the J Fairey Electrical and Engineering Company, Ltd.

He was a cousin of the late Sir Richard Fairey, a British aviation pioneer. Mr Fairey was born in Nelson in 1887 and educated at Canterbury College.

[angelsonefive]

I don't think I have seen this name so far:

H.C. Grout.

This pilot died of serious injuries after a forced landing crash in Avro 504K D6243 on 30/12/1921.
The accident occurred near Motunau in Canterbury.

He is reported to have flown for two years up until the Armistice of 1918, which would make him a member of both the RFC and RAF.

Born in Wairoa.

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19211231.2.98

[errolmartyn]

Jan 29, 2024 17:23:12 GMT 12 angelsonefive said:

I don't think I have seen this name so far:

H.C. Grout.

This pilot died of serious injuries after a forced landing crash in Avro 504K D6243 on 30/12/1921.
The accident occurred near Motunau in Canterbury.

He is reported to have flown for two years up until the Armistice of 1918, which would make him a member of both the RFC and RAF.

Born in Wairoa.

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19211231.2.98

Harry/Henry Cranston GROUT was born at Ponsonby, Auckland on 19 Aug 1895.
He served with the Samoa Advance Force, then the NZEF before transferring to the RFC (later RAF) in November 1917. Got his 'wings' but did not get to serve outside Britain with the RFC/RAF. Returned to New Zealand in August 1919. Back in New Zealand, in November 1921, he was granted commercial Pilot's 'B' Licence No. 13!

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

An unlucky 13 licence number. Sad he died so soon into his commercial career.

[Peter Lewis]

A very nasty crash too, the result of a forced landing after engine failure during a positioning flight Marlborough back to Sockburn.
I have spoken to a descendent of the family who owned the farm where he came down, and he hung on to life for some hours after the accident but by the time medical assistance could arrive he had died.

[jagibb]

Thanks Errol - Roger B Gibb was my grandfather, lucky enough to have afternoons during the weekends filled with his stories of the Sea and Sky (later captured in a Radio NZ interview in 1981).

[Dave Homewood]

Feb 18, 2024 15:53:59 GMT 12 jagibb said:

Thanks Errol - Roger B Gibb was my grandfather, lucky enough to have afternoons during the weekends filled with his stories of the Sea and Sky (later captured in a Radio NZ interview in 1981).

There are two different interviews with Commander Roger Gibb listed on the NZ Sound and Vision page.

----------------
www.ngataonga.org.nz/search-use-collection/search/230464/
Commander Roger Gibb talks about his life and career. He talks about his boyhood in Jamaica, the 1907 Kingston earthquake and his naval training. He recalls the Dardanelles during World War I, the navy and balloons. He reads poetry that he has written.
----------------

And
-----------------
www.ngataonga.org.nz/search-use-collection/search/21751/
A two -part Spectrum documentary in which Commander Roger Gibb recalls his career in the Royal Navy and as the last living commander of the great airships.

Spectrum 355: Commander Roger Gibb talks about growing up in an English family in Jamaica and the 1907 earthquake in Kingston. In 1914, aged seventeen, he volunteered to join the war. He reads his poem recalling his feelings after taking this decision. At Gallipoli in 1915 he recalls his job directing soldiers to the right and to the left on the deck of the ship, during the final evacuation.

Spectrum 356: Roger Gibb talks about his training in England and his career in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during World War I. He recalls his training flying using balloons, in order to learn how to work the gas. He gives a lot of details about his training, then recalls making his first solo flight.

He discusses flying blimps as a pilot. Two men could get on board, the pilot and another man who would operate the machine gun in case a submarine would surface. Blimps could move at sixty knots. He remembers throwing bombs from the blimp’s basket onto the sea, and the serious consequences for the flying machine.

He moved on to rigid airships just after he got his certificate and talks about the differences between rigid and non-rigid ships. He explains that the rigid ships were mainly used for reconnaissance and patrolling above sea for warships, submarines, and mine fields.

He recalls one of his most memorable flights, where they had to navigate through a heavy mist and eventually managed to find the landing ground thanks to the army band playing out of tune to guide them with sound.

------------------

It would be good if they could digitise and release those, I'd love to listen.

[stevechch]

Appreciate a lot of work has been done already...can you include service numbers. This will help ascertain acutual service.
It can also allow searchers to look either side of confirmed airman, as people did join in groups.

On the topic of airservice, looking through school records will reveal names.

[stevechch]

Appreciate a lot of work has been done already...can you include service numbers. This will help ascertain acutual service.
It can also allow searchers to look either side of confirmed airman, as people did join in groups.

On the topic of airservice, looking through school records will reveal names.

[errolmartyn]

Stevechch,
Is your post actually about Second World War New Zealand airmen rather than those who served during the First World War?
What you say is relevant to the former to a large degree but 'official numbers' allocated to New Zealanders during the latter is a vastly more complex subject, largely because there was no New Zealand air service as such at the time.
Errol

[Dave Homewood]

In this thread there are two pilots named Coverdale mentioned.

2/Lt Oswald Myles Coverdale

H.V. Coverdale (who I assume was Harold Vincent Coverdale, 1898-1971)

Were Harold and Oswald brothers?