Post by fwx on Apr 15, 2021 12:30:33 GMT 12
I came across this article and it's sad story at the same time as seeing the thread about Darton Field.
From the Gisborne Herald, 6 July 1943, accompanying a list of airmen missing:
"THREE GISBORNE MEN
Sergeant Dudley Dobson Coates, whose father, Mr. W. T. Coates, lives at Puha, is the navigator in the Stirling bomber piloted by Sergeant T. W. Darton.
Prior to joining the RNZAF last year, Sergeant Coates was on the staff of the Gisborne Times and the Daily Telegraph, Napier. In May, 1942, after training in New Zealand he went to Canada and from there to England. He was a member of an R.A.F. rugby football team which won fame as being unbeatable.
Born at Makaraka, Sergeant Thomas William Darton is the only child of Mrs. Darton, Matawhero, and the late Mr. George Darton, well-known in Gisborne as a former borough engineer, after whom Darton Field was named. Educated at Te Hapara School and later at the Gisborne High School, Sergeant Darton before joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force in December, 1941, was in the Native Department in Gisborne. After training in New Zealand and receiving his wings he left New Zealand in August, 1942 and went to England. He was very keen on hockey and tennis, and represented the High School at hockey.
Sergeant Frederick John Leigh Joblin is 22 years of age. Before his entry into the Royal New Zealand Air Force he was farming on his father's farm at Morere. He trained for six months in New Zealand and then went to Canada on a navigator-bomb aiming course, and later to England. He was educated at the Morere School and the Gisborne High School, was fond of cricket and shooting, and was a very keen farmer. His wife. Mrs. F. J. L. Joblin lives at Wainui Beach."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
All three men flew with 75 (NZ) Squadron, at a time when losses were heavy.
Darton and Coates were killed together on 25 May 1943, on only their second operation as a crew. Stirling BK602 AA-R was shot down by a night-fighter off the Belgian/French coast on its way to attack Dusseldorf, with no survivors.
Thomas William Darton (with photo) here: www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C22981
Dudley Dobson Coates (with photo) here: www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C22244
Incredibly, Joblin had been killed the night before, also on his second operation. Stirling BK783 AA-Q was shot down by a night-fighter over the Netherlands on the return flight home from attacking Dortmund, only one crew member surviving.
Frederick John Leigh Joblin here: www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C27353
Ake Ake Kia Kaha.
From the Gisborne Herald, 6 July 1943, accompanying a list of airmen missing:
"THREE GISBORNE MEN
Sergeant Dudley Dobson Coates, whose father, Mr. W. T. Coates, lives at Puha, is the navigator in the Stirling bomber piloted by Sergeant T. W. Darton.
Prior to joining the RNZAF last year, Sergeant Coates was on the staff of the Gisborne Times and the Daily Telegraph, Napier. In May, 1942, after training in New Zealand he went to Canada and from there to England. He was a member of an R.A.F. rugby football team which won fame as being unbeatable.
Born at Makaraka, Sergeant Thomas William Darton is the only child of Mrs. Darton, Matawhero, and the late Mr. George Darton, well-known in Gisborne as a former borough engineer, after whom Darton Field was named. Educated at Te Hapara School and later at the Gisborne High School, Sergeant Darton before joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force in December, 1941, was in the Native Department in Gisborne. After training in New Zealand and receiving his wings he left New Zealand in August, 1942 and went to England. He was very keen on hockey and tennis, and represented the High School at hockey.
Sergeant Frederick John Leigh Joblin is 22 years of age. Before his entry into the Royal New Zealand Air Force he was farming on his father's farm at Morere. He trained for six months in New Zealand and then went to Canada on a navigator-bomb aiming course, and later to England. He was educated at the Morere School and the Gisborne High School, was fond of cricket and shooting, and was a very keen farmer. His wife. Mrs. F. J. L. Joblin lives at Wainui Beach."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
All three men flew with 75 (NZ) Squadron, at a time when losses were heavy.
Darton and Coates were killed together on 25 May 1943, on only their second operation as a crew. Stirling BK602 AA-R was shot down by a night-fighter off the Belgian/French coast on its way to attack Dusseldorf, with no survivors.
Thomas William Darton (with photo) here: www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C22981
Dudley Dobson Coates (with photo) here: www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C22244
Incredibly, Joblin had been killed the night before, also on his second operation. Stirling BK783 AA-Q was shot down by a night-fighter over the Netherlands on the return flight home from attacking Dortmund, only one crew member surviving.
Frederick John Leigh Joblin here: www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C27353
Ake Ake Kia Kaha.