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Post by sheena58 on Nov 13, 2020 2:24:16 GMT 12
I’ve been researching two of my fathers cousins who were RNZAF and both served in the U.K. during ww2. I’ve managed to find a lot about the elder brother who was a pilot NZ414191 F/O G W Burness DFM (AFC 1945)
But nothing of substance for his younger brother NZ416417 W/O D G Burness. I believe he was a Wireless Op/Air Gunner.
Any suggestions where I could find further information on his service/squadrons, bearing in mind I’m in the U.K. would be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 13, 2020 6:43:36 GMT 12
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Post by davidd on Nov 14, 2020 12:06:03 GMT 12
sheena58, I can just add the following. NZ416417 Donald George BURNESS obviously enlisted in NZ sometime in mid-1941 (by service number), embarked NZ for Canada 8/1/42 as a trainee W/Opr A/G, ex Auckland to Halifax per DOMINION MONARCH, arrived Halifax 3/2/42 (per Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow, Vol 3"). Must have graduated from an RCAF school as a Sergeant W/Opr A/G during period August to November 1942 (rough estimate from own records of other W/Opr A/Gs sent on this ship), and was eventually appointed to a commission in rank of Pilot Officer (presume while still in United Kingdom, attached to RAF), with effect from 15th February 1945. (Last information from RNZAF List for April 1945, also source of his given names.) Anyway, Warrant Officer was not his ultimate rank!
David D
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 14, 2020 12:18:36 GMT 12
I have the temporary commission to Pilot officer as being 25th February 1945.
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Post by davidd on Nov 14, 2020 14:10:18 GMT 12
aircraftclocks, all I have to go on at the moment is date in the RNZAF List as noted - what is source of your information? Possible this date later amended of course.
David D
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 14, 2020 14:45:15 GMT 12
The NZ Gazelle with a notice date of 27th March 1945.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Nov 14, 2020 16:09:22 GMT 12
I have miss read the notice, it is the 15th.
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Post by davidd on Nov 15, 2020 9:53:30 GMT 12
Whew! Thanks for checking that out aircraftclocks, you had me worried there! Sometimes the human eyes can let you down (or the brain!), we have all had to wrestle with these problems, including "misremembering" events or other "solid" facts - I have been caught out on this Board before, it pays to be humble.
David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 15, 2020 10:32:35 GMT 12
The NZ Gazelle with a notice date of 27th March 1945. New Zealand Gazette, hahaha. |
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Post by sheena58 on Nov 16, 2020 19:41:42 GMT 12
Thanks everyone, that’s certainly given me a bit more to go on. David D, fascinating to see they include the origin of his given name. I wonder whether they have the same info somewhere on his brother’s name.
I’m hoping eventually to find out which squadron(s) he served with in the U.K. and, if possible to visit locations. I was at the airfield where his brother Gordon completed his tour of duty, recently. They still have a Lancaster that taxis, although doesn’t fly, and some original buildings including the control tower. It would be nice to do the same for Donald as I’m here in the U.K. and they were so far from home.
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Post by davidd on Nov 17, 2020 8:15:57 GMT 12
sheena58. When I stated that the NZ Gazette was the source of his given names, I meant simply that, not the "origins" of the names. However I think you may be signalling that you do not know the full names of his older brother, although you know a lot about him. He was Gordon William, commissioned as P/O w.e.f. 28/10/44. (Also from NZ Gazette, April 1945).
David D
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Post by sheena58 on Nov 18, 2020 18:20:35 GMT 12
Thank you. Crossed wires on my part and of course no logical reason why this information would be included.
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