Donald Ernest Fair, NZ401263, 611 Squadron RAF

[richarda]

Does anyone have any information the service (enrollment, Squadron(s) etc) about Donald Ernest Fair, NZ401263, 611 Squadron RAF who was shot down in Spitfire Mk.Va R7208 and made POW on 11 July 1941?

[errolmartyn]

Jan 18, 2023 13:16:59 GMT 12 richarda said:

Does anyone have any information the service (enrollment, Squadron(s) etc) about Donald Ernest Fair, NZ401263, 611 Squadron RAF who was shot down in Spitfire Mk.Va R7208 and made POW on 11 July 1941?

FAIR, Warrant Officer Donald Ernest.
Born Masterton, 28 Oct 1917.
Enlisted at RNZAF Levin as Airman Pilot u/t, 7 May 40
Obtained his wings in New Zealand.
Embarked Aorangi at Auckland for Britain and attached RAF, 5 Dec 40
Disembarked Vancouver, 23 Dec 40
Entrained for east coast of Canada and ship across the Atlantic, disembarking UK c. 15 Jan 41
Shot down/Pow 11 Jul 41 with 611 Squadron
Safe UK, 21 Apr 45
To RNZAF Reserve 28 Jan 46

For further info you could request a free copy of his RNZAF service record from Personnel Records, RNZAF.

Do you happen to be related to Donald?

Errol

[richarda]

Thanks very much Errol.

No not related.

Investigating the possibility of including his aircraft as one of the colour schemes in a new 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Va kitset we're releasing late(r) this year. This will follow on from our 1st release, a mid-production Mk.Ia due in Feb/Mar this year:
www.kotare-models.com/products/k32001-132-spitfire-mkia-mid

Every little bit of info helps.

Cheers
Richard

[richarda]

This is the profile art we came up with for Donald Fair's 611 Squadron Spitfire Mk.Va R7208.

If you're interested, you can find more information on the Kotare website (https://www.kotare-models.com/products/k32002-kotare-132-spitfire-mkva)

[Antonio]

Further links:

611 Sqn Roll of Honour:  www.611squadronrauxaf.co.uk/history/Roll.html 
AWM Cenotaph:  www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/289217