RNZAF's First Exchange Pilot to USAF (*and other Exchanges)
Nov 2, 2024 16:59:01 GMT 12
Dave Homewood likes this
Post by errolmartyn on Nov 2, 2024 16:59:01 GMT 12
Buckley left New Zealand on Friday 18th of June 1937 to head to the UK. I assume Duffey travelled with him.
This article was published in the Manawatu Standard on the 17th of July 1937:
R.A.F. OFFICERS
EXCHANGE WITH DOMINION.
TWO ARRIVALS FROM ENGLAND.
Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 16.
The first, officers to come to the Dominion under arrangements made by the Government for the exchange of Royal New Zealand Air Force officers with Royal Air Force officers, arrived from England by the Arawa. They are Flight-Lieutenant W. M. Grundy, who is a specialist signals officer, and Flight-Lieutenant L. Crocker, a specialist engineer. Both will be attached to the Royal New Zealand Air Force for a term of two years.
The New Zealand officers sent to England under the agreement between the two Governments were Squadron-Leader Buckley, officer commanding the Royal New Zealand Air Force base at Hobsonville, and Flying-Officer Duffey, who was stationed at Wigram Aerodrome. In order to overcome the difficulty of providing the necessary specialist officers the Royal Air Force agreed to send in exchange a specialist engineer and a specialist signals officer.
Flight-Lieutenant Grundy, who joined the Royal Air Force in 1926, has served with fighter squadrons since then, and was attached to the fleet air arm for three years. Recently he has been serving with one of the squadrons concerned with the defence of London.
Flight-Lieutenant Crocker, who has been in the Royal Air Force since 1927, has served in flying-boat squadrons, and was once stationed at Singapore. He was one of the crew of the Supermarine Southampton flying-boat that made a flight from Singapore to Sydney some time ago.
The two officers were met on arrival by Squadron-Leader Nevill, Air Staff and Intelligence Officer at air headquarters, Wellington. and Flight-Lieutenant Lester, officer commanding the Hobsonville Air Base. They will spend a few days at Hobsonville and will then proceed to Wellington, where they will probably be attached to the air headquarters staff.
Buckley and Flying Officer Hubert Wentworth Duffy (often misspelt Duffey but birth records confirm Duffy and he signed as Duffy) they travelled on the Tamaroa to England. Each man was accompanied by his wife and a child.
Duffy was born in New Zealand but had previously served with the NZAF from 1 Nov 26 but resigned on 21 Apr 27 (he had learned to fly with the NZAF in 1926 as a civilian).
He then made his way to England and joined the RAF on 1 Jul 27 on a short service commission but relinquish his commission on account of ill-health on 1 Jul 32.
Returned to New Zealand and rejoined the NZAF on 12 Jan 33 but transferred to the RNZAF on 2 Jul 35.
Sailed with Buckley for England and RAF as exchange officer, 22 Jun 37
Resigned commission in RNZAF, 31 Jul 38
Granted a commission in the RNZAF, 17 Jun 40
Relinquished commission in RNZAF, 13 Feb 44
Duffy was plagued throughout his air force life with medical issues, resulting in most of his appointments being to non-flying roles
Errol.
