1941 Unaccounted Airmen Database Reconciliation

[Andrew Curtis]

Hi. Rest of New Zealanders.

Andrew

Aircraftman 1st Class George Herbert William TAYLOR (403239) RNZAF. Wireless Operator, 2 (GR) Squadron, RNZAF.
Killed as a result of falling out of an aircraft during bumpy weather near Havelock.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Aircraftman 2nd Class Owen Bertie George SUTTON (414827) RNZAF. Note: rank is AC 2 (database has SUTTON as AC 1). Flight Rigger.
Killed instantly when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a lorry near Harewood aerodrome.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Leading Aircraftman Ronald Thomas BRANSGROVE (412650) RNZAF. Pilot. 2 EFTS, RNZAF.
Died in New Plymouth Hospital after receiving fatal injuries when the swing he was on broke and fell head-first on to concrete.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Flying Officer Jack Rua COATH (40819) RNZAF. Pilot (Instructor), 2 EFTS, RNZAF.
Tiger Moth RNZAF serial: NZ659 (construction no: 83461 / ex-RAF serial: T5752).
Died as a result of injuries received in an aircraft crash when carrying out a climbing turn and dived into the ground. LAC Gordon Farquar FORBES was injured.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzdh82.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Flight Lieutenant Harold Cuthbert WILES (1180) RNZAF. Pilot (Instructor). 3 SFTS, Ohakea, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1238 (construction no: 2659 / ex-RAF serial: P6865).
While undertaking night flying training, the aircraft struck the ground and burst into flames during a low altitude diving turn. Flt Lt WILES and LAC Norman William WILSON were killed as a result of multiple injuries.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Leading Aircraftman Norman William WILSON (413529) RNZAF. 3 SFTS, Ohakea, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1238 (construction no: 2659 / ex-RAF serial: P6865).
While undertaking night flying training, the aircraft struck the ground and burst into flames during a low altitude diving turn. Flt Lt Harold Cuthbert WILES and LAC WILSON were killed as a result of multiple injuries.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Leading Aircraftman Wylie Macdonald HOGG (411161) RNZAF. Pilot. 2 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1263 (ex-RAF serial: P8867).
Aircraft stalled at 500 feet and dived and crashed into trees near Renwick. Both LAC HOGG and LAC Barry Alfred SMITH were killed.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://aircrewremembered.com/hogg-wylie-macdonald.html
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...1&snippet=true

Leading Aircraftman Barry Alfred SMITH (413134) RNZAF. Pilot. 2 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1263 (ex-RAF serial: P8867).
Aircraft stalled at 500 feet and dived and crashed into trees near Renwick. Both LAC Wylie Macdonald HOGG and LAC SMITH were killed.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://aircrewremembered.com/hogg-wylie-macdonald.html
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...1&snippet=true

Leading Aircraftman Charles William BAKER (413804) RNZAF. Pilot. 3 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1245 (construction no: 2670 / ex-RAF serial: P6876).
Failed to return from a navigation exercise with LAC Winston Stanley CANNELL. Missing until found in the Tararua Ranges mid-April 1943.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-05-1943

Leading Aircraftman Winston Stanley CANNELL (413814) RNZAF. Pilot. 3 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1245 (construction no: 2670 / ex-RAF serial: P6876).
Failed to return from a navigation exercise with Charles William BAKER. Missing until found in the Tararua Ranges mid-April 1943.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-05-1943

Leading Aircraftman Felix Patrick ULENBERG (413547) RNZAF. Pilot. 2 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1226 (construction no: 2606 / ex-RAF serial: N4682).
Flying solo and killed when crashed during night training flight.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-01-1942

Leading Aircraftman Ronald Stephen BROOKER (413810) RNZAF. 1 FTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ280 (construction no: 502 / ex-RAF serial: P2033).
Killed when returning from a training flight. The pilot, who was flying in heavy rain and low cloud, lost his bearings and crashed into the hillside at Motukarara near Christchurch. P/O MARSHALL, LAC BROOKER, LAC FITZGERALD and LAC LINDSAY were all killed.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Leading Aircraftman Brian Patrick FITZGERALD (413986) RNZAF. 1 FTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ280 (construction no: 502 / ex-RAF serial: P2033).
Killed when returning from a training flight. The pilot, who was flying in heavy rain and low cloud, lost his bearings and crashed into the hillside at Motukarara near Christchurch. P/O MARSHALL, LAC BROOKER, LAC FITZGERALD and LAC LINDSAY were all killed.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Leading Aircraftman William Ian LINDSAY (413435) RNZAF. 1 FTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ280 (construction no: 502 / ex-RAF serial: P2033).
Killed when returning from a training flight. The pilot, who was flying in heavy rain and low cloud, lost his bearings and crashed into the hillside at Motukarara near Christchurch. P/O MARSHALL, LAC BROOKER, LAC FITZGERALD and LAC LINDSAY were all killed.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Pilot Officer Alan Leslie MARSHALL (412249) RNZAF. 1 FTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ280 (construction no: 502 / ex-RAF serial: P2033).
Killed when returning from a training flight. The pilot, who was flying in heavy rain and low cloud, lost his bearings and crashed into the hillside at Motukarara near Christchurch. P/O MARSHALL, LAC BROOKER, LAC FITZGERALD and LAC LINDSAY were all killed.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-12-1941

Leading Aircraftman Clifford Henry John MILLAR (415003) RNZAF. Pilot. 1 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1314 (construction no: 3351 / ex-RAF serial: AR782).
Flying solo and died of injuries received when the plane crashed at Yaldhurst. Witness claimed bits of fabric broke off before the aircraft nosedived and that the pilot was doing no stunting.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-03-1942

Sergeant George Bevan EATHORNE (413393) RNZAF. Pilot. 1 Squadron, RNZAF.
Lockheed Hudson RNZAF serial: NZ2020 (construction no: 3833 / ex-RAF serial: V9248).
Plane crashed 5 miles west of Helensville while on an exercise flight with Sgt EATHORNE, Sgt Eric ELDERSHAW and F/O Eric Francis HOLDAWAY all killed. Witness noticed engine had cut out followed by a loud explosion.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzhudson.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-03-1942

Sergeant Eric ELDERSHAW (413396) RNZAF. Pilot. 1 Squadron, RNZAF.
Lockheed Hudson RNZAF serial: NZ2020 (construction no: 3833 / ex-RAF serial: V9248).
Plane crashed 5 miles west of Helensville while on an exercise flight with Sgt George Bevan EATHORNE, Sgt ELDERSHAW and F/O Eric Francis HOLDAWAY all killed. Witness noticed engine had cut out followed by a loud explosion.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzhudson.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-03-1942

Flying Officer Eric Francis HOLDAWAY (1281) RNZAF. Pilot. 1 Squadron, RNZAF.
Lockheed Hudson RNZAF serial: NZ2020 (construction no: 3833 / ex-RAF serial: V9248).
Plane crashed 5 miles west of Helensville while on an exercise flight with Sgt George Bevan EATHORNE, Sgt Eric ELDERSHAW and F/O HOLDAWAY all killed. Witness noticed engine had cut out followed by a loud explosion.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzhudson.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-03-1942

Leading Aircraftman Gordon Keith CLARIS (414250) RNZAF. 2 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1257 (construction no: 568 / ex-RAF serial: P8861).
LAC CLARIS and LAC Charles William HILDRETH were returning to RNZAF Woodbourne from camera gun practice when their aircraft collided with the aircraft of Sgt Matthew William COXON and LAC James Duff HEWETT which had been practising instrument take-off.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-03-1942

Sergeant Matthew William COXON (401309) RNZAF. 2 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1243 (construction no: 2668 / ex-RAF serial: P6874).
Sgt COXON and LAC James Duff HEWETT had been practising instrument take-off at RNZAF Woodbourne when the aircraft collided with the aircraft of LAC Gordon Keith CLARIS and LAC HILDRETH which was returning from camera gun practice.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-03-1942

Leading Aircraftman James Duff HEWETT (414725) RNZAF. 2 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1243 (construction no: 2668 / ex-RAF serial: P6874).
Sgt Matthew William COXON and LAC HEWETT had been practising instrument take-off at RNZAF Woodbourne when the aircraft collided with the aircraft of LAC Gordon Keith CLARIS and LAC HILDRETH which was returning from camera gun practice.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-03-1942

Leading Aircraftman Charles William HILDRETH (414291) RNZAF. 2 SFTS, RNZAF.
Airspeed Oxford RNZAF serial: NZ1257 (construction no: 568 / ex-RAF serial: P8861).
LAC Gordon Keith CLARIS and LAC HILDRETH were returning to RNZAF Woodbourne from camera gun practice when their aircraft collided with the aircraft of Sgt Matthew William COXON and LAC James Duff HEWETT which had been practising instrument take-off.
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-me...otaph%2Fsearch
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzoxford.htm
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=31-03-1942

[malcolm_raf]

Hi

Leading Aircraftman Ivor MERCY 1001420 1941-05-11 RAFVR UK Risca (Danygraig) Cemetery
(Age 27). Killed in air raid on Lympne; death registered Holborn.

The problem with this one is that Lympne is not in the Holborn registration district, which covers parts of London/Middlesex

Malcolm

[malcolm_raf]

Hi

Leading Aircraftman Archibald Miller BANKIER 1063826 113 Sqdn 1941-11-15 RAFVR Egypt Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery
(Giarabub/Libya). Pres. Killed during an air raid. Buried Halfaya Sollum WC.

He was serving with No 113 Sqn, and was killed whilst working on Maryland II, AH350 of No 12 Sqn SAAF, which blew up possibly as a result of petrol vapour in the bomb bay being ignited.

Malcolm

[malcolm_raf]

Hi

Aircraftman 1st Class Alec Charles POPELEY 1101568 405 Sqdn 1941-12-08 RAFVR UK Peterborough (Eastfield) Cemetery
Age 25). (Pocklington/Yorkshire). Death registered Northumberland/Central and may have been killed in an air raid.

He was killed when Beaufighter IIF, R2404 of No 406 Sqn (NOT 405 Sqn), overshot a landing at Acklington following engine failure and struck the MT vehicle he was in on the airfield.

Malcolm

[wwrsimon]

Malcolm

With regards to Leading Aircraftman Ivor MERCY 1001420 - a family tree on ancestry.co.uk has the following:

"Holborn, London, England - went to a football match in London - did not get up when the air raid sirens sounded. Killed when building was bombed."

Regards

Simon

[Jagan]

Hi

Leading Aircraftman Archibald Miller BANKIER 1063826 113 Sqdn 1941-11-15 RAFVR Egypt Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery
(Giarabub/Libya). Pres. Killed during an air raid. Buried Halfaya Sollum WC.

He was serving with No 113 Sqn, and was killed whilst working on Maryland II, AH350 of No 12 Sqn SAAF, which blew up possibly as a result of petrol vapour in the bomb bay being ignited.

Malcolm

Malcolm,

Thanks for that. Does this also apply to the other 113 Sqn airmen who were killed on the same day? http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...5&qcntry=Egypt

They RAF 113 causalities seemed to be buried in plots next to each other . but they are buried in a cemetery that is 200 miles away from those of the SAAF members who died in the explosion.

The Grave Concentration report for SAAF mentions they were buried at El Daba and moved to El Alamein (A few miles to the east).





But the ones for 113 Sqn does not mention El Daba..

[malcolm_raf]

Hi Simon

Yes I forgot to mention that the others were also involved. The info came from the 12 SAAF Sqn ORB, rather than 113 Sqn's

Malcolm

[Jagan]

Hi Simon

Yes I forgot to mention that the others were also involved. The info came from the 12 SAAF Sqn ORB, rather than 113 Sqn's

Malcolm

Can you double check the source? I had referred to the 12 SAAF Sqn ORB - https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...mageViewerLink Page 64 but it only makes reference to the SAAF airmen - not the 113 Sqdn airmen.

[malcolm_raf]

Hi Jagan

My error, I misinterpreted the information on Shores Vol 1 but I now suspect the six 113 Sqn personnel may have been killed when a force of Bf110s attacked the landing ground at Giarabub, destroying a Blenheim.

Malcolm

[Jagan]

Malcolm

You are right - here are two links to support that

https://rommelsriposte.com/2011/01/1...5-november-41/

The attack appears to have been reasonably successful however, apparently hitting the RAF’s No.113 Squadron (Blenheim light bombers) and No.33 Squadron (Hurricane fighters), and causing a considerable amount of damage. The 29 Indian Brigade war diary (29 Indian Brigade commanded at Giarabub) states the following losses:

• Six RAF ground personnel killed and 16 wounded.
• 2 Hurricanes shot down with one pilot killed, one wounded
• 1 Blenheim destroyed on the ground
• 5 Blenheims and 2 Hurricanes damaged on the ground
• 1 Me 110 shot down and 3 Ju 88 damaged
• Attacking force consisted of two groups: (i) 8 Ju 88 and 1 S.m.79 (in reality 9 Ju 88) and 6 Me 110 bombed; and (ii) 7 Me.110 and 4 Me. 109 strafed the airfield (in reality these were the same 6 Me. 110)

Also http://113squadron.com/Albums/Sgt%20...%20Fort-3.html

Giarabub Fort. This village is located deep in the desert approx 200 miles from the coast and near the border of Libya. The 113 Squadron operated from here from mid November 1941 to December 1941 and were raided by the Germans several times. It was here that half a dozen squadron members were killed in a cave in which buried them alive.

------------------------------------------------------

http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...ate=1941-11-15

The 113 ORB is missing the pages for the date - but the army war diary quoted above should be good enough to list the following as killed in the raid.

Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery 113 Sqdn - Killed 1941-11-15

Leading Aircraftman Archibald Miller BANKIER (1063826) Ref : 15. E. 5.
Aircraftman 2nd Class Noel Flannan GREEN (653463) Ref : 15. F. 6.
Aircraftman 1st Class Robert Henry HOLMES (1303091) Ref : 15. F. 2.
Leading Aircraftman Frank Thomas MALYON (1151882) Ref : 15. E. 4.
Corporal Ernest Edward PALMER (518069) Ref : 15. E. 7.
Leading Aircraftman Sydney James STOKES (1184953)