Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2023 20:22:50 GMT 12
This is interesting. Was he originally a Kiwi or was he British and emigrated to NZ? What were the Handley Page bombers and fighter-bombers he worked o the design team for? Was the Hampden classed as a fighter-bomber then? I wonder if he was snapped up later in the war to undertake technical work.
From the NZ Herald dated 11th of June 1940.
SKILL WASTED
AN AERO ENGINEER
NO CHANCE TO SERVE
SONS WITH FLEET AIR ARM
Among the many men in New Zealand with special qualifications who have been disappointed in not finding an opportunity to serve the war effort is Mr. D. H. Dall, of Auckland. As a retired engineer he offered his services to the Air Department, but has been advised that there is no suitable vacancy.
Mr. Dall has had 43 years' experience in first-class engineering with prominent English firms. During the last war he was a technical officer in the R.N.A.S. and the R.A.F. and for two years was officer in charge of the receiving depot for all Rolls-Royce aero engines used by the R.A.F. and was responsible for final inspections and reassembly after the final test.
In 1938-39 he served on the technical staff of Handley Page, Limited, and was engaged on the designing of the most modern heavy bombers, including the heaviest and most powerful fighter-bomber ever built in Britain.
Seeing that, although 59 years of age, he is still hale and mentally and bodily fit he asks why his experience cannot be used in the instruction of mechanics on the care and upkeep of such machines.
"I have two sons in the Fleet Air Arm," Mr. Dall said, "and all I want is an opportunity of contributing my bit to the war effort."
From the NZ Herald dated 11th of June 1940.
SKILL WASTED
AN AERO ENGINEER
NO CHANCE TO SERVE
SONS WITH FLEET AIR ARM
Among the many men in New Zealand with special qualifications who have been disappointed in not finding an opportunity to serve the war effort is Mr. D. H. Dall, of Auckland. As a retired engineer he offered his services to the Air Department, but has been advised that there is no suitable vacancy.
Mr. Dall has had 43 years' experience in first-class engineering with prominent English firms. During the last war he was a technical officer in the R.N.A.S. and the R.A.F. and for two years was officer in charge of the receiving depot for all Rolls-Royce aero engines used by the R.A.F. and was responsible for final inspections and reassembly after the final test.
In 1938-39 he served on the technical staff of Handley Page, Limited, and was engaged on the designing of the most modern heavy bombers, including the heaviest and most powerful fighter-bomber ever built in Britain.
Seeing that, although 59 years of age, he is still hale and mentally and bodily fit he asks why his experience cannot be used in the instruction of mechanics on the care and upkeep of such machines.
"I have two sons in the Fleet Air Arm," Mr. Dall said, "and all I want is an opportunity of contributing my bit to the war effort."
