Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 3, 2022 23:13:01 GMT 12
I came across the following obituary in The Press dated 27 June 1979, for the late Trevor Watts White, known as Tiny.
Pioneer N.Z. airman dead
PA Levin
A pioneer airman and a man who made a lasting contribution to New Zealand aviation during a long career spanning two world wars, Mr Trevor Watts (Tiny) White, died at Levin last Saturday. His death came only a few days after he received the distinction of an honorary commission, with the rank of Air Commodore, in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Mr White, who was 85, died after a brief illness. He had lived at Levin since his retirement in 1951 when he was the Director of Reserves at R.N.Z.A.F. headquarters.
Mr White began his military career 70 years ago, as a trumpeter in the North Canterbury Mounted Rifles in 1909.
He served in World War I with the 1st N.Z.E.F. in Samoa, Egypt, Gallipoli, and Palestine. While serving in Egypt, he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps and after training as a pilot, flew with a scout squadron in France. He was shot down and spent 18 months as a prisoner of war in Germany.
In 1920, Mr White made a survey in Fiji investigating a flying boat service between the islands. He later served as a member of the Territorial New Zealand Air Force. With the formation of the Territorial Air Force in 1923, he was attached to the No. 1 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. In 1930, as a squadron leader, he commanded the No. 4 (Army Co-operation) Squadron in Dunedin.
In 1928, he formed the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club, becoming the club’s chief flying instructor.
In 1930, he joined New Zealand Airways at Timaru as chief pilot. While with that company he made the first landing at Mount Cook and completed surveys for air routes in the South island. In 1933, he joined East Coast Airways as chief pilot.
Later he joined Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in Australia, flying passengers between Sydney and Newcastle. In 1937, he was the first New Zealander to receive the Air Efficiency Medal tor his contribution to aviation in this country. By 1939 he had flown more than 6500 hours.
During World War II Mr White commanded R.N.Z.A.F. air bases at Levin and Rongotai. He served in the New Zealand Air Mission to Canada, where he was a member of the supervisory board of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan that involved the training of wartime aircrew in Canada from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.
In 1947, he was appointed the air member for personnel on the New Zealand Air Board. Mr White was a member of the Air Services Licensing Authority from 1952 to 1968. He was an honorary member of No. 75 (Skyhawk) Squadron at Ohakea and was the patron of the base museum established there recently. He is survived by his wife, and a son, Mr Blair White.
Pioneer N.Z. airman dead
PA Levin
A pioneer airman and a man who made a lasting contribution to New Zealand aviation during a long career spanning two world wars, Mr Trevor Watts (Tiny) White, died at Levin last Saturday. His death came only a few days after he received the distinction of an honorary commission, with the rank of Air Commodore, in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Mr White, who was 85, died after a brief illness. He had lived at Levin since his retirement in 1951 when he was the Director of Reserves at R.N.Z.A.F. headquarters.
Mr White began his military career 70 years ago, as a trumpeter in the North Canterbury Mounted Rifles in 1909.
He served in World War I with the 1st N.Z.E.F. in Samoa, Egypt, Gallipoli, and Palestine. While serving in Egypt, he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps and after training as a pilot, flew with a scout squadron in France. He was shot down and spent 18 months as a prisoner of war in Germany.
In 1920, Mr White made a survey in Fiji investigating a flying boat service between the islands. He later served as a member of the Territorial New Zealand Air Force. With the formation of the Territorial Air Force in 1923, he was attached to the No. 1 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. In 1930, as a squadron leader, he commanded the No. 4 (Army Co-operation) Squadron in Dunedin.
In 1928, he formed the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club, becoming the club’s chief flying instructor.
In 1930, he joined New Zealand Airways at Timaru as chief pilot. While with that company he made the first landing at Mount Cook and completed surveys for air routes in the South island. In 1933, he joined East Coast Airways as chief pilot.
Later he joined Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in Australia, flying passengers between Sydney and Newcastle. In 1937, he was the first New Zealander to receive the Air Efficiency Medal tor his contribution to aviation in this country. By 1939 he had flown more than 6500 hours.
During World War II Mr White commanded R.N.Z.A.F. air bases at Levin and Rongotai. He served in the New Zealand Air Mission to Canada, where he was a member of the supervisory board of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan that involved the training of wartime aircrew in Canada from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.
In 1947, he was appointed the air member for personnel on the New Zealand Air Board. Mr White was a member of the Air Services Licensing Authority from 1952 to 1968. He was an honorary member of No. 75 (Skyhawk) Squadron at Ohakea and was the patron of the base museum established there recently. He is survived by his wife, and a son, Mr Blair White.
