RNZAF Ernest Alexander Pilcher - RAF Squadrons 282 and 293

[percy]

Hi.
I am trying to find any information on my late fathers war history.
Ernest Alexander Pilcher.
RNZAF # 416664
He joined the RNZAF and trained in Canada.
He served as a wireless operator/navigator and gunner in Europe and Africa in the
RAF Squadrons 283 and 293 achieving the rank of Warrant Officer on 28.02.1944.
Aircraft appear to be Submarine Walruses and later Vickers Warwicks.
I have researched as much as I can online but sadly there is little to be found.
My father kept a diary but at some point many years ago, for some unknown reason, he destoyed them, and with that, all his history. Obviously he had his reasons but with both my parents long gone it is now just history and would have made valuable reading to me.
If anyone has anything to contribute I would be very grateful.
Many thanks.
Kind Regards,
Richard (Percy) Pilcher

[errolmartyn]

Apr 17, 2019 13:40:57 GMT 12 percy said:

Hi.
I am trying to find any information on my late fathers war history.
Ernest Alexander Pilcher.
RNZAF # 416664
He joined the RNZAF and trained in Canada.
He served as a wireless operator/navigator and gunner in Europe and Africa in the
RAF Squadrons 283 and 293 achieving the rank of Warrant Officer on 28.02.1944.
Aircraft appear to be Submarine Walruses and later Vickers Warwicks.
I have researched as much as I can online but sadly there is little to be found.
My father kept a diary but at some point many years ago, for some unknown reason, he destoyed them, and with that, all his history. Obviously he had his reasons but with both my parents long gone it is now just history and would have made valuable reading to me.
If anyone has anything to contribute I would be very grateful.
Many thanks.
Kind Regards,
Richard (Percy) Pilcher

Richard,

If you have not already done so, you could request a free copy of his service record from Personnel Records, NZDF. See here for more info www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/

I can add this meanwhile:

From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 :

PILCHER, Flight Lieutenant Ernest Alexander, AE.
NZ416664 & 132432; Born Gisborne, 13 Jul 1920; NZ Army/TF (1st Hawke’s Bay Regt, Sigs) 11 mths; RNZAF 30 Nov 1941 to 2 Feb 1946, Res. 7 Sep 1950 to 13 Jul 1975; Wireless Operator-Air Gunner, then Air Signals.
Air Efficiency Award - 12 Dec 1961.
During the war Flt Lt Pilcher flew in Warwicks on ASR duties in the Mediterranean, flying 30 sorties with 293 Sqn RAF and an unknown number with 284 Sqn RAF.

And that he embarked on the Dominion Monarch at Auckland along with 70 other Wireless Operator/Air Gunners under training for Canada on 8 Jan 42, disembarking at Halifax on 3 Feb 42.

Cheers,
Errol

[phasselgren]

Richard,

I recommend the book Beyond Courage: Air Sea Rescue by Walrus Squadrons in the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Seas 1942-1945 by Norman Franks. You can find a priceworthy second hand book in www.bookfinder.com


I have not been able to find my copy yet but I will check if your fathers name is mentioned.

Cheers,
Peter

[phasselgren]

Richard,

Unfortunately was his name not included in the index of Beyond Courage but I believe this is the only book with a focus on RAF´s air sea rescue operations in the Mediterranean area.


You preview and download the Operations Record Books of 283 and 293 Squadrons on the National Archive (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/raf-operations-record-books-1939-1945/). You can also search via www.rafcommands.com/database/air27/ were you also find a Guide.


Cheers,
Peter