Operation: Patrol

Date: 15th December 1941 (Monday)

Unit: No. 2 (NZ) Squadron

Type: Hudson III

Serial: NZ2007

Code: -

Base: Nelson, New Zealand

Location: North West of Golden Bay - see map

Pilot: P/O. Alexander John MacFarlane NZ/401400 RNZAF Age 25. Killed

Pilot: P/O. Louis George William Volzke NZ/404432 RNZAF Age 27. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Keith Robertson Jack NZ/391703 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Philip David Harrison NZ/401929 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 16:50 hrs on an operational perimeter patrol, failing to return.

Despite many searches over several days, the aircraft was not located for a further eight days and only then when a local farmer reported the crash site to the police. The bodies of the crew were recovered for burial.

The court of enquiry placed the blame on the pilot, finding that the aircraft was on the correct track but ahead of its scheduled timings. The Hudson hit a hill in very poor visibility and all the crew were killed on impact.

Some of the wreckage still exists today although most of it has been taken by souvenir hunters! One of the twisted propellers is on display in the Collingwood Museum.

The two W/Op/Air/Gnr had only been promoted to sergeant that morning. P/O. Volzke was acting as navigator for this flight.

Above L-R: P/O. MacFarlane, P/O. Volzke, Sgt. Jack and Sgt. Harrison.

Pilots course 2C, No. 2 Service Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Woodbourne. 1940

(We have tried to identify as many as possible - we welcome further information)

L-R: Rear; Andrew Jack Cowlrick NZ/39902 - killed 03rd June 1942, Charles Frederick Dare NZ/401373 PoW - died 01st January 1972, Edward St John Spicer died 18th August 2000, Charles Anthony Armstrong NZ/401368 - killed 12th June 1944, Graeme Holt Fenton NZ/401378 - killed 10th March 1942, Stevenson, MacCarthy, Palmer.
Centre; Arthur Clendon Long NZ/401496 - killed 22nd September 1942, Parkes, Sandman, Alexander John MacFarlane NZ/401400 - killed on the 15th December 1941, Joseph Stewart Parry NZ/401287 - killed 29th September 1941, Guthrie, Lauchlin, Peter Southey Worsp NZ/401420 - killed 24th December 1943.
Front; Layne, Wilfred Sefton Emmett NZ/401377 - killed 03rd December 1941, Karston, Howard.

Pilots course 8c, No. 3 Service Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Ohakea. February 1941

(We have tried to identify as many as possible - we welcome further information)

L-R: Rear; Eric Reginald Jones NZ/404375 died 27th May 2001, Arthur Ronald Cook NZ/404338 - killed 19th May 1943, Gordon Russell Cameron NZ/403940 0 killed 06th February 1942, Gordon Stuart Bolton NZ/403502 - killed 03rd July 1942, Donald Fraser Ayson NZ/402538 - died 14th February 1981, Henry Drury Alcock NZ/403928 - died 24th October 1972, RD McNabb, Neil Frederick McLean NZ/403876 - killed 31st October 1941, Louis George William Volzke NZ/404432 - killed 15th December 1941, RT Maunsey, GD Steel, Harold Kay NZ/404371 - killed 12th May 1942, Horace Victor Sole NZ/404419 - died 30th June 1973.
Front; Loch Lomond Bentley NZ/404936 - killed 23rd December 1941, Hansford Ward Chambers NZ/404334 - died 06th August 1977, HF Christensen, FB Forge, FB Gray, KF Heald, Edward Denis Cannon NZ/403424 - killed 09th February 1942, EJ Garnett, HG Viles, Thomas Young Wyllie NZ/404011 killed 08th November 1941, Clyde McGregor Simpson NZ/40415 - died 02nd September 2002, WStGR Wilson, Thomas Kay NZ/39557 - killed 05th June 1941, David Mitchell Keane NZ/404441 - killed 14th October 1942.

Burial details:

P/O. Alexander John MacFarlane. Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson. Grave 145166608. Born on the 26th December 1915 in Hong Kong. Moved to New Zealand when he was 15. Worked as a shipping clerk for L D Nathan in Auckland. Enlisted on the 04th June 1940 at Levin. ned with No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School on the 01st July 1940. Then attached to No 2 Flying Training School on the 25th August 1940. Pilots badge was awarded on the 28th October 1940 and a commission on the 21st December 1940. Joined 2 squadron on the 02nd January 1941. Son of William and Janet Ronal Christal MacFarlane (née Cameron) of Hong Kong later of Manly, New South Wales, Australia. A total of 462 flying hours were logged, with 92 on the Hudson.

P/O. Louis George William Volzke. Kopuatama Cemetery. Stratford. Block 71 Plot 11. Born on the 05th August 194 at Stratford. Worked as a motor mechanic for E.H Eason motor engineers at Stratford. Member of the New Plymouth Aero Club and awarded his 'A' licence on the 01st August 1937 reaching 44 + flying hours. Enlisted at Levin on the 23rd November 1940. Trained with No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School on the 27th December 1940. Then attached to No 3 Flying Training School on the 08th February 1941. Pilots badge was awarded on the 24th March 1941 and awarded his commission on the 03rd May 1941. Joined 2 squadron on the 15th May 1941, flying the Vincent and Hudson. The son of Charles Albert Frederick Volzke (died 15th June 1941, age 66) and Martha Mary Volzke (née Askew - died 02nd December 1973, age 88) A total of 342 flying hours were logged.

Sgt. Keith Robertson Jack. Old Levin Cemetery, Levin. Grave 121259276. Born on the 27th June 1921 at Cambridge, Worked as a wireless repairer for Hamilton Nimmo and Company at Levin. Enlisted on the 08th December 1939. Joined 2 squadron on the 10th January 1841. Awarded wireless operator/air gunner badge and Awarded wireless operator/air gunner badge on the 18th of December and promoted to sergeant. Joined 2 squadron on the same day, flying the Vincent and Hudson. The son of William Robertson (died 28 April 1950, age 58) and Evelyn Azealia Jack (née Woodard (died 17 July 1957, age 64)) of Levin, New Zealand. A total of 308 flying hours were logged.

Sgt. Philip David Harrison. Karori Cemetery and Crematorium. Wellington. Soldiers Plot 15 C/3. Born on the 06th February 1921 at Basford, Nottingham, EnglandEnlisted at Harewood on the 12th July 1940. Joined 2 squadron on the 04th January 1941 flying the Vincent and Hudson. Awarded wireless operator/air gunner badge on the 18th of December and promoted to sergeant. Joined 2 squadron on the same day. Son of Edward and Beatrice Lilian Harrison (died 1974, age 90) of Upper Hut, New Zealand. A total of 325 flying hours were logged.

Pacific Wrecks visited the crash site in 2003. We recommend you visit their comprehensive website for further details. The link is shown below, or click the logo.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Collingwood Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, Pacific Wrecks, other sources as quoted below:

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