New Zealand Airmen in WWI

[errolmartyn]

Jun 2, 2024 11:30:37 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

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?

HV and OM Coverdale were brothers, both trained and graduated at NZFS.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Errol.

[Dave Homewood]

Here is an obituary from The Press, 10 June 1970, for David Barnes who is previously mentioned in this thread:

Obituary MR D. BARNES

A former Labour member of of Parliament for Waitaki in 1935-38, Mr David Barnes, died in Christchurch last week. He was 76.

Mr Barnes, who was born and educated in England, came to New Zealand with his parents in 1908. He took up farming in the North Canterbury area, but went overseas in 1914 with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. He was wounded at Gallipoli, and returned to New Zealand where he became the first returned man to join the pilots trained at Sockburn by the Canterbury Aviation Company.

Mr Barnes then returned to England, where he completed his training as a pilot and served with English coastal defence forces until the end of World War I.

On his return to New Zealand after the war, Mr Barnes resumed farming in North Canterbury, and later at Fairlie, where he started a branch of the Labour Party. He was elected to represent the Waitaki electorate in the 1935 Parliament, and remained a member until 1938. During his term, he was appointed to the Rehabilitation Board, a position he held until the early 1950s.

In 1939, he was appointed a director of the State Advances Corporation, in which position he served for 15 years.

After joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1940, Mr Barnes was made adjutant of the Rongotai Training School, and later toured New Zealand as a member of the R.N.Z.A.F. recruiting committee. Mr Barnes retired to Christchurch after World War 11. He is survived by his wife and a daughter, Mrs M. Johnson, of Oxford.

[Dave Homewood]

May 5, 2016 17:40:38 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

More names from Archway of NZ WWI Air Force personnel who have files at the National Archives.....

Alfred Victor Barrow - Australian Imperial Force - Lieutenant, Australian Flying Corps

From the Press, 28 April 1972:

MR A. V. BARROW

Mr Alfred Victor Barrow, who died at the Rannerdale War Veterans’ Home on Monday, was in the thick of the fighting in the air during one of the big events of the First World War.

He was in the air when the “Red Baron,” the German air ace, Manfred von Richthofen, was shot down near Amiens. The baron had been a scourge of the Allied forces and assured himself a place in aviation history.

Mr Barrow was born in England in 1886 and came to New Zealand in 1911. He went to Australia three years later and enlisted in the 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Australian Imperial Forces.

He transferred to the Australian Flying Corps in 1917 and served as an observer and pilot in the 3rd Squadron in France.

Mr Barrow returned to New Zealand in 1920 and worked for Smith and Smith, Ltd, for many years.; He was a life member of the Canterbury Officers’ Club.

[davidd]

I wonder if this Mr Barrow was related to Tom Barrow, New Zealand's first Air Secretary from 1937 I presume (also a lifelong civil servant I believe).

[Dave Homewood]

I also wondered that. It's not a particularly common name. However I do not think so as he was born in Dobson, in Westland. Here is Tom Barrow's obituary from The Press, 19 September 1967:

Death Of Mr T. A. Barrow

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept 17.

Mr Thomas Abram Barrow, C.B.E., of Howick, who played a prominent part in the administration leading up to the formation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, died on Saturday, aged 70. He was permanent head of the Air Department from establishment in 1937 until his retirement in 1953.

When he began as Air Secretary there were twenty-one officers and 156 airmen in the R.N.Z.A.F. and on his retirement it had a regular strength of 4624, and had reached 42,000 in the Second World War.

Mr Barrow was born in Dobson and educated in Greymouth and Wellington, and qualified as an accountant, joining the State Fire Service in 1913.

In 1924 Mr Barrow was appointed inspector-accountant for the Education Department and in 1935 was chief accountant for the Public Works Department. He was director of Tasman Empire Airways (now Air New Zealand) from its formation in 1940.

Mr Barrow was a life vice-president and former president of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, a life member and former president of the Auckland Aero Club and a life member of the Air Force Association.

[Dave Homewood]

Jul 29, 2006 0:41:18 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Just an update of New Zealanders who served in the World War One Air Forces, I found a list of pilots who were all the founding members of the Territorial Air Force (also known as the NZAF) in June 1923. They had all served in WWI. I have added first names where I know them. The list is

A. H. Skinner

This was Arthur Hirst Skinner. Below if from the New Zealand Herald, 18 January 1926


EX-AIRMAN'S DEATH.



GERMAN HOSPITAL'S NEGLECT



SHRAPNEL LEFT IN HEAD.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] CHRISTCBURCH. Saturday.

To die from the effects of a war injury which only manifested itself three weeks ago has proved the fate of Mr. Arthur Hirst Skinner, of Aikman's Road. For the years since the war up to the illness which terminated fatally in Christchurch Hospital yesterday, Mr. Skinner had enjoyed the best of health, and had never been troubled by the wound.

The neglect of the Germans, by whom he had been held prisoner, to extract a piece of shrapnel from his head proved the eventual cause of his death. The late Mr. Skinner left New Zealand in 1914 with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion of the Expeditionary Force. He was a member of the 1st. Canterbury Company and was in the landing on Gallipoli. Later he served in France.

After that he was on the headquarters staff in London. Finally he transferred to the Royal Air Force, in which he gained the rank of captain. He was engaged in operations behind the German lines in France when he was struck by a piece of shrapnel and crashed. The wound he then received was the one which subsequently proved fatal.

For 15 months he was a prisoner in Germany, and after the armistice, when he gave the indication of perfect health, he rejoined the Royal Air Force, and saw service on the Russian front against the Bolsheviks. On his discharge he returned to Christchurch, and, about two years ago married Kathleen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. Banks, of Shirley.

On Christmas Eve Mr. Skinner had a series of seizures, the first manifestation of the fatal trouble. He was operated upon at the Christchurch Hospital by Dr. Acland, but he died yesterday. He is survived by his widow and an infant child. He was a very popular member at the Christchurch Officers Club.

[ErrolC]

Oct 11, 2024 1:47:26 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Jul 29, 2006 0:41:18 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Just an update of New Zealanders who served in the World War One Air Forces, I found a list of pilots who were all the founding members of the Territorial Air Force (also known as the NZAF) in June 1923. They had all served in WWI. I have added first names where I know them. The list is

A. H. Skinner

This was Arthur Hirst Skinner. Below if from the New Zealand Herald, 18 January 1926


EX-AIRMAN'S DEATH.



GERMAN HOSPITAL'S NEGLECT



SHRAPNEL LEFT IN HEAD.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] CHRISTCBURCH. Saturday.

To die from the effects of a war injury which only manifested itself three weeks ago has proved the fate of Mr. Arthur Hirst Skinner, of Aikman's Road. For the years since the war up to the illness which terminated fatally in Christchurch Hospital yesterday, Mr. Skinner had enjoyed the best of health, and had never been troubled by the wound.

The neglect of the Germans, by whom he had been held prisoner, to extract a piece of shrapnel from his head proved the eventual cause of his death. The late Mr. Skinner left New Zealand in 1914 with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion of the Expeditionary Force. He was a member of the 1st. Canterbury Company and was in the landing on Gallipoli. Later he served in France....

Pretty sure it is a judgement call whether to extract shrapnel next to the brain, especially in 1918. A bit of German-bashing is understandable however!
Exciting times fighting in Russia too!

[Dave Homewood]

I was not aware of any New Zealand airmen fighting in Russia at that time after WWI till I saw this. We're there others?

I agree regarding the shrapnel.

[Dave Homewood]

Was W/C Roy Champion Kean a New Zealander by birth? This is from the Press, 28 October 1958:

WING COMMANDER R.C. KEAN

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 27. Wing Commander Roy C. Kean, former Chief Inspector of Accidents, Air Department, died at his home at Island Bay, Wellington, recently. He w r as aged 68. Wing Commander Kean had a long career in aviation, dating back to 1916, when he joined the Royal Flying Corps. He retired from his last post, as Chief Inspector of Accidents, at the end of 1955.

As an inspector of aircraft accidents, both for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Civil Aviation, he made many emergency trips into difficult Country. He was in England furthering his engineering studies when World War I began. He was commissioned in the South Lancashire Regiment, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He served in France, and later was attached to the Aeroplane Armament Experimental Establishment, a unit still in existence.

After the war he was an engineer on the Otira tunnel project’s electrical work. In 1936, Mr Kean joined the Defence Department as the first inspector of aircraft appointed in New Zealand. 'ln World War II he became director of aircraft production, and in the early and difficult days of civil aviation in New Zealand he played a notable part in bringing to attention the need for proper standards of maintenance and inspection of civil aircraft.

[errolmartyn]

May 25, 2025 4:32:10 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Was W/C Roy Champion Kean a New Zealander by birth? This is from the Press, 28 October 1958:

WING COMMANDER R.C. KEAN

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 27. Wing Commander Roy C. Kean, former Chief Inspector of Accidents, Air Department, died at his home at Island Bay, Wellington, recently. He w r as aged 68. Wing Commander Kean had a long career in aviation, dating back to 1916, when he joined the Royal Flying Corps. He retired from his last post, as Chief Inspector of Accidents, at the end of 1955.

As an inspector of aircraft accidents, both for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Civil Aviation, he made many emergency trips into difficult Country. He was in England furthering his engineering studies when World War I began. He was commissioned in the South Lancashire Regiment, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He served in France, and later was attached to the Aeroplane Armament Experimental Establishment, a unit still in existence.

After the war he was an engineer on the Otira tunnel project’s electrical work. In 1936, Mr Kean joined the Defence Department as the first inspector of aircraft appointed in New Zealand. 'ln World War II he became director of aircraft production, and in the early and difficult days of civil aviation in New Zealand he played a notable part in bringing to attention the need for proper standards of maintenance and inspection of civil aircraft.

Born at Wellington, 20 Oct 1890.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Errol, that is another then. Cheers.

[Dave Homewood]

The Press, 20 February 1964

1914-18 AIRMEN REUNITED TODAY

The fifth Dominion reunion of the 1914-18 Airmen’s Association will begin in Christchurch today with the arrival of between 40 and 50 airmen of World War I. Their ages range from 65 to 85.

Among these members of the Royal Flying Corps will be some of the first pilots who trained at the Wigram Flying School and at the flying boat base at Kohimarama.

This evening the delegates will hold a social function.

Tomorrow morning they will visit the United States Navy Antarctic advance headquarters at Christchurch airport at the invitation of the commander (Rear-Admiral J. R. Reedy). Half will be shown a film about the Antarctic and the rest will be taken on a scenic flight over the Southern Alps aboard a Navy Hercules plane. Then the groups will reverse roles.

At noon the airmen will be taken to the Royal New Zealand Air Force station, Wigram, where they will lunch with the station commander (Group Captain J. D. Robins), In the afternoon they will be taken on a scenic tour of the city and Port Hills.

Tomorrow evening an official dinner will be held at the officers’ mess, Wigram. A brief remembrance service will be held at the Citizens’ War Memorial on Saturday morning when a wreath will be laid. After this ceremony the association will hold its annual meeting in the Provincial Council Chambers.

[Dave Homewood]

The Press, 21 February 1964

Veteran Airmen Talk Of Sorties — Among Selves

Talk of air battles and sorties over France in World War I, and of the types of aircraft in use then, is expected to occupy elderly men from Auckland to Invercargill gathered in Christchurch for the fifth annual reunion of the New Zealand 1914-1918 Airmens’ Association.

Last evening the 40 or 50 men enjoyed an informal get-together. According to the association’s vice-president (Mr R. B. Bannerman) delegates include many former representatives of the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Naval Air Service, and the Royal Air Force which officially came into being as such on April 1, 1918.

Mr Bannerman shot down 17 enemy aircraft in World War I.

Among those who arrived early in the evening were two of the first five pilots to graduate from Wigram— Messrs C. J. McFadden and E A F Wilding.

A personality well known m military aviation circles, Air Commodore Keith “Grid” Caldwell, was warmly welcomed by old comrades. “Grid” Caldwell was one of the first two pilots to graduate from the flying-boat base at Kohimarama.

Happy to chat among themselves about their wartime exploits none was inclined to do so publicly.

“None of these fellows will talk about himself,” said Mr Bannerman. “It’s an old Air Force tradition, you know.” He said he was perfectly willing to say something about the aircraft used in World War I. “By the end of 1918 the top speed of the best fighter was about 130 miles an hour and the maximum ceiling was 21,000 ft without oxygen. Today’s pilots won’t believe that.”

Mr McFadden said parachutes were not allowed in aircraft as it was thought men might prefer to use the ’chutes in preference to staying in the aircraft to fight it out.

“Most of the fighter planes we used in France were Sopwith Camels, Snipes and Dolphins. We also had two-seater Bristol fighters. All were pretty good aircraft at that time although they don’t seem much compared with today’s machines,” said Mr Bannerman.

He said the association now had about 100 financial members although a list of about 200 eligible members had been compiled. The association was formed five years ago at Wairakei.

“We decided to make our reunions annual affairs because we weren’t getting much younger and we didn’t want to space them out too much.

“I believe we have here this week-end only 10 fewer than we had in Auckland last year,’’ he said.

[Dave Homewood]

Mar 23, 2016 11:39:11 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

My friend Eris Parker, who is the ex-curator of the Cambridge Museum, now retired, has taken a research project on for herself, looking into and compiling a database on New Zealanders who became Prisoners of War in World War One. She's interested in anyone, whether NZ Army, Air Force, Navy, kiwis serving with the British, Aussies or Indians or whoever, even civilians interned, etc, who became prisoners of the enemy in the Great War. I asked her which kiwi airmen she'd found so far and she gave me quite an impressive list, which includes a lot of names not yet on this thread. She has given me permission to post the list here,and if anyone can add more to it, or help with full names and details of those on the list, or details of any other kiwi POW's in WWI, she'd be keen to hear. I can pass any info on to her.

Here's the list:
- William Swanson Read Bloomfield RFC
- James Robertson Denniston (died in captivity)
- Edgar Henry Garland
- Samuel Howard Ellis
- Robert Hector Gray RFC
- James Clarence Griffith
- Kenneth Wilfred John Hall
- Hugh Douglas Hamilton
- Donald Ernest Harkness
- William Leonard Harrison
- Albert Holden
- Herbert Ernest Hyde RFC/RAF
- Rewi Rawhiti (Robert Reynolds) Macintosh
- Hugh Lambert Reilly
- Gordon Peter Robertson
- Herbert Bainbrigge Russell
- Frank Douglas Home Sams
- Arthur Hirst Skinner
- Alexander Ritchie Strang
- Randolf Howard Topliss
- Montagu Robert McGregor Turnbull
- Edward Darien Warburton RFC
- Trevor Watts White (the well known "Tiny" White)
- Lowell Yerex

Killed In Car Crash

(N.Z. Press Association) ROTORUA, Dec. 23.

A Napier man was killed and his wife suffered superficial injuries and shock, when their car somersaulted on the Napier-Taupo highway five miles west of Rangitaiki about 6.30 a.m. today.

He was Montagu Robert McGregor Turnbull, aged 77, of 28 France road, Napier. Mrs Turnbull was driving the car which went out of control on a straight stretch of road and overturned.

Mr Turnbull was secretary of the Napier Golf Club, and was formerly a member of the Royal Flying Corps, and the Royal Air Force, and served in the R.N.Z.A.F. during the Second World War.

The Press, 24 December 1964