PJO (Peter) Buck Research Project

[alexellis1998]

This project has now ended. Thank You to everyone who made a contribution!

About the Project:

The project was an assessment for 3rd-year History class at Victoria University of Wellington, as part of a BA Degree. The assessment was a biographical-research project, which was a 1500-word biography that I chose to do on P.J.O (Peter) Buck, who flew for NAC and also flew during WWII. This work will not be published, and will only be read by myself and my Lecturer. This assessment is part of History Course HIST312: Working Lives in New Zealand, and as the title suggests, it looks at the history of work in New Zealand from the early settlers to the present day. 

Thanks,

Alex Ellis

EDIT 3/09/2019 - Security of Information

Any personal information that is provided for this assignment will be kept strictly confidential. This work will not be published, and will not be made available to the public. The only person reading the finished work besides myself will be my lecturer. The University has very strict rules and guidelines around the handling of personal information, and I will ensure that these are followed. Security of personal information is something that is taken very seriously. Apologies if this was not made clear in the original post.

This an assessed piece of work as part of a 3rd-year History paper on "Working Lives in New Zealand", which I took as part of BA degree. I have provided a link to the information page for the course: www.victoria.ac.nz/courses/hist/312/2019/offering?crn=26130

[errolmartyn]

Alex,

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

BUCK, Flight Lieutenant Peter John Oswald, DFC.
NZ413377 & 132583; Born Wellington, 19 Nov 1923; RNZAF 15 Jun 1941 to 27 Jan 1946, Res. to 20 Nov 1978; Pilot.
Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (Imm) (25 May 1943): [75(NZ)Sqn RAF (Stirling)] One night in April, 1943, Pilot Officers Buck and Symons [RCAF] were pilot and navigator respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Duisburg. Whilst over the target area, the aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter and sustained much damage. The rear gunner was mortally wounded, while Pilot Officer Symons was wounded in the hand. Pilot Officer Buck succeeded in evading the attacker and set course for base. On the return flight, the damaged bomber became difficult to control and, when one of the engines failed, the aircraft began to lose height. All moveable equipment was jettisoned and, height being maintained, Pilot Officer Buck flew the aircraft to base where he effected a perfect crash-landing. During the return flight Pilot Officer Symons, in spite of his painful injury, did all within his powers to help his pilot, obtaining a number of fixes which proved of great assistance. In a most difficult situation, these officers displayed courage, skill and determination of a high order.
During the above attack the incendiary bombs carried as part of the bomb load were set on fire - all incendiaries and bombs were quickly jettisoned. Also served with 487 Sqn RNZAF (Mosquito). From May 1943 to Nov 1944 served as an instructor at 1665 and 1660 HCUs and 11 OTU RAF. Died Wanganui, 12 Oct 1992.

And from the 'Airmen sailing to war' appendix in my trilogy For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices)

22 Sep 41 Monterey Auckland-San Francisco, arr 7 Oct.
RNZAF for attachment to RCAF . . .
52 Airmen Pilots under training – died: Brown, G; Deery, H G; Faris, G A; George, L B; Hamilton, G H W; Kitto, R F; Lloyd, J L; Long, T J A; Mollgaard, D B; Muir, C B; Newcomb, J S; Newcomb, R C; Nicholls, J A P; Patrick, J V; Peryman, S B; Rawlings, L M; Scott, A; Stewart, J; Trigg, L A; Tuck, W R; Webster, W D; Whibley, F L M; (22) –
survived: Atkin, R E; Brydon, S L; Buck, P J O; Chambers, B A; Cronin, M N; Death, L M; Dyer, L N; Elder, I G; Gamlin, A P; George, K E; Greenfield, W D; Hide, F G; Hyde, G M B*; Kidd, R M; Knox, N M; Lister, G D; Mygind, V C; Nicolson, J M; O'Meara, T; Pitts, D C*; Pocock, C R; Shattky, H M; Slater, R S; Southall, G T P; Talboys, B E; Trainor, W K; Verity, J R; Walbran, I H C; Wasey, W H; Weeds, B M; (30).

* = PoW.

Also on board for Canada were 41 Air Observers and 66 Wireless Operator/Air Gunners under training for Canada, 3 conducting staff, and 4 New Zealand trained pilots for the the UK and attachment to the RAF.

A good place to start your research would be to request a free photocopy of Buck's service record from Personnel Records, NZDF. There is a longish wait at present but if your case is urgent the PR folk might be willing to oblige you earlier. This link will take you to further info about same:
www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/accessing-military-service-records.htm

Errol

[alexellis1998]

Aug 27, 2019 19:48:22 GMT 12 errolmartyn said:

Alex,

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

BUCK, Flight Lieutenant Peter John Oswald, DFC.
NZ413377 & 132583; Born Wellington, 19 Nov 1923; RNZAF 15 Jun 1941 to 27 Jan 1946, Res. to 20 Nov 1978; Pilot.
Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (Imm) (25 May 1943): [75(NZ)Sqn RAF (Stirling)] One night in April, 1943, Pilot Officers Buck and Symons [RCAF] were pilot and navigator respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Duisburg. Whilst over the target area, the aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter and sustained much damage. The rear gunner was mortally.......

Hi Errol, this is incredible helpful information. Thanks also listing the titles of the books, they're the most important parts!

[fwx]

Hi Alex,

Here is the famous photo of the damage to Peter Buck's Stirling bomber after the incident for which he was awarded his DFC.





75 (NZ) Squadron RAF Flight Commander S/L Dick Broadbent (left) and visiting NZ fighter ace W/C Bill “Hawkeye” Wells inspecting the damage to the rear turret of P/O Peter Buck’s Stirling BF517 AA-O, in which Sgt Brian Rogers was mortally wounded on the night of 26/27th April 1943.

Credit - NZ Bomber Command Association archives, Dick Broadbent collection.

I may be able to help with more detail of his time at 75(NZ) Squadron - email me at [e-mail].

Cheers,
Chris

[alexellis1998]

Aug 28, 2019 8:22:02 GMT 12 fwx said:

Hi Alex,

Here is the famous photo of the damage to Peter Buck's Stirling bomber after the incident for which he was awarded his DFC.

Hi Chris, that image is certainly useful! I don't know yet if I will need anymore information about his time in the RNZAF, but if I do, I will let you know. My project will need to cover other aspects of his career (such as his time at NAC), as well.

[sher]

Hi I am the ex daughter in-law of Peter Buck ... are you able to give me your email address and I can forward to his sons and grandson who can give you what ever information you require.

[alexellis1998]

Aug 28, 2019 20:51:54 GMT 12 sher said:

Hi I am the ex daughter in-law of Peter Buck ... are you able to give me your email address and I can forward to his sons and grandson who can give you what ever information you require.

Hi, I have replied to the e-mail you sent me (you did find the right address).  Thanks for your offer!

[chinapilot]

One of his son’s had a long career in commercial aviation also.
Old-school like myself and I certainly would be reluctant to share family information with somebody whose photo doesn’t exactly portray a professional attitude.
Just saying.

[planewriting]

Sept 3, 2019 15:32:48 GMT 12 chinapilot said:

One of his son’s had a long career in commercial aviation also.
Old-school like myself and I certainly would be reluctant to share family information with somebody whose photo doesn’t exactly portray a professional attitude.
Just saying.

What is it you are "just saying" about who or what?

[alexellis1998]

Sept 3, 2019 15:32:48 GMT 12 chinapilot said:

One of his son’s had a long career in commercial aviation also.
Old-school like myself and I certainly would be reluctant to share family information with somebody whose photo doesn’t exactly portray a professional attitude.
Just saying.

Any personal information that is provided for this assignment will be kept strictly confidential. This work will not be published, and will not be made available to the public. The only person reading the finished work besides myself will be my lecturer. The University has very strict rules and guidelines around the handling of personal information, and I will ensure that these are followed. Security of personal information is something that is taken very seriously. Apologies if this was not made clear in the original post.

This an assessed piece of work as part of a 3rd-year History paper on "Working Lives in New Zealand", which I am taking as part of BA degree. For your convenience, I have provided a link to the information page for the course.

www.victoria.ac.nz/courses/hist/312/2019/offering?crn=26130

[Dave Homewood]

What was it that led you to choose Peter Buck as a subject, Alex? Just curious.

[alexellis1998]

This project has now ended. Thank You to everyone who made a contribution!

Due to the need to retain security of personal information and university rules, I cannot publish the final project here. Thanks anyway to those who helped out!