You searched for: “"RNZAF"”
| # | Name* | First Names | Title | Rank | RAF Equivalent Rank | Service No. | Born | Nationality | Role | Awards | Air Force | Command | Unit | DateofIncident *See Note | Aircraft | Type | Serial | Code | Victories (Fighters) | Base | Time | Mission | Incident | Fate | Commemorated | Photo (Click to Expand) | Referring Database | Notes | Links/Archive Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8551 | Weatherley | Verrell | Flight Lieutenant | 415804 | Age 24 | RNZAF | 100Sqn , serving withSqn (RAF) | 1945-01-02 | Killed | United Kingdom, Runnymede Memorial, Panel 284. | ![]() | Son Of John William And Lillian May Weatherley, Of Petone, Wellington, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8552 | Weatherley | Verrell | Flight Lieutenant | NZ/415804 | Age 24 | New Zealand | Pilot | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 100Sqn![]() | 1945-01-02 | Lancaster | I | LL898 | HW-L | RAF Grimsby, Lincolnshire | 950 | Training | See archive report for further details | Missing - believed killed | Runnymede Memorial. Panel 284 | ![]() | Read Archive Report | ||||||
| 8553 | Weaver | S E | Sergeant | RCAF | Bomber Command | 487Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-04-04 | Ventura | II | AE957 | EG-M | Methwold | 1800 | Rotterdam | ? | Killed | Runnymede | ![]() | Paradie Archive Database | ||||||||||
| 8554 | Weaver | E H | Sergeant | Bomber Command | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-03-03 | Stirling | I | N6123 | AA-Q | Newmarket | 2003 | Gardening | ? | Killed | Runnymede | ![]() | ||||||||||||
| 8555 | Weaver | Frank Stuart | Sergeant | 404713 | Age 26 | RNZAF | 217Sqn | 1942-07-03 | Killed | Malta, Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2. | ![]() | Son Of Frank Stuart And Annie Weaver; Husband Of Edna Joyce Weaver, Of Mount Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8556 | Weaver | Francis Augustine | Sergeant | 412292 | Age 27 | RNZAF | 1942-08-28 | Killed | United Kingdom, Irvinestown (Sacred Heart) Roman Catholic Churchyard, Grave 2. | ![]() | Son Of Martha Kathleen Weaver, Of Orakei, Auckland, New Zealand. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8557 | Weaver | Emrys Herbert | Sergeant | 1409013 | Age 20 | RAFVR | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-03-03 | Killed | United Kingdom, Runnymede Memorial, Panel 169. | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8558 | Weavers | R V | Sergeant | Bomber Command | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-03-05 | Stirling | I | BK647 | AA-M | Newmarket | 1920 | Essen | Crash landed | |||||||||||||||
| 8559 | Webb | Thomas Geoffrey | Sergeant | NZ/40670 | Age 19 | New Zealand | Pilot | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 40Sqn ![]() | 1941-03-12 | Wellington | Ic | T2515 | BL-U | RAF Alconbury, Cambridgeshire | 1950 | Boulogne | See archive report for further brief details | Killed | Wimille Communal Cemetery | Son of James Herbert and Beatrice Annie Webb (née Bending) of Mt. Albert, Auckland, New Zealand. Enlisted on the 13th February 1940 and prior to this worked as a warehouseman for Chas L. Stevenson Ltd. A total of 245 flying hours logged and on his 1st operational sortie. | |||||||
| 8560 | Webb | N D | Flight Lieutenant | NZ/415805 | Pilot | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 61Sqn ![]() | 1944-02-24 | Lancaster | I | LM310 | QR-E | RAF Conningsby, Lincolnshire | 1829 | Schweinfurt | Crashed target area | Camp: L3 - Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria | None - understood to have survived the war | Read Archive Report | |||||||||
| 8561 | Webb | Stanley Lawrence | Sergeant | 1266998 | Age 33 | British | Flight Engineer | RAFVR | Bomber Command | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-06-22 | Stirling | III | EF408 | AA-P | RAF Newmarket, Suffolk | 2340 | Mulheim | Crashed near Gelsinkirchen | Killed | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 19.G.3 | ![]() | Son of George William and Lily Matilda Webb and husband of Violet Eileen Webb, of Northolt Park, Greenford, Middlesex, England. Grave inscription: 'In Proud And Loving Memory Of Our Dear Stanley'. | ||||||
| 8562 | Webb | J | Sergeant | 657412 | Bomber Command | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-04-10 | Stirling | III | BF456 | AA-J | Newmarket | .0006. | Frankfurt | ? | Killed | Rheinberg War Cemetery | ![]() | |||||||||||
| 8563 | Webb | Bernard Herbert | Flight Lieutenant | NZ/2407 | Age 34 | New Zealand | Pilot | RNZAF | Transport Command | 575Sqn | 1945-04-21 | Dakota | III | KG326 | I9-? | RAF Broadwell, Oxfordshire | 854 | Delivery flight | See archive report for further details | Killed | Venray War Cemetery. Grave VII. A. 13 | ![]() | Born on the 15th August 1910 at Wellington. A law clerk prior to enlisting in the New Zealand army in 1929. Joined the RAF as a clerk on the 21st June 1937Remosterd for pilot trains on the 19th April 1941 and obtained his wings on the 14th February 1942. The son of Reginald Webb and of Frances Webb (née Holmden), of Kelburn, Wellington, New Zealand and husband of Jeannette Lucie Burnard-Webb, of Wadestown, Wellington. 1340 flying hours logged. | Read Archive Report | |||||
| 8564 | Webb | Frank William Skottowe | Sergeant | NZ/439817 | Age 19 | New Zealand | Air Gunner | RNZAF | Trying Command | 1 Operational Training Unit (NZ) | 194410-03 | Ventura | PV-I | NZ4544 | MSN: 5744 | RNZAF (Ohakea), New Zealand | 08:30 | Training | See archive report for further details. | Killed | Dunedin (Anderson's Bay) Cemetey. Grave 6. 4. | Son of Reginald Suddard Skottowe Webb (died 28th September 1977, age 80 and Ngaire Elizabeth Janet Webb (née Veal - died 16th September 1988, age 88), of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. | 'Read the archive report for further details' |
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| 8565 | Webb | Thomas Geoffrey | Sergeant | 40670 | Age 19 | RNZAF | 40Sqn (RAF) | 1941-03-12 | Killed | France, Wimille Communal Cemetery, | ![]() | Son Of James Herbert And Beatrice Annie Webb, Of Auckland City, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8566 | Webb | Walter Keith | Pilot Officer | 415393 | Age 32 | RNZAF | 1942-11-18 | Killed | New Zealand, Blenheim (Omaka) Public Cemetery, 23. 10. | ![]() | Son Of Walter Buncombe Webb, And Of Bertha Winifred Webb, Of Blenheim, Marlborough. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8567 | Webb | John | Sergeant | 657412 | Age 23 | RAF | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-04-11 | Killed | Germany, Rheinberg War Cemetery, Coll. Grave 18. E. 3-7. | ![]() | Son Of John And Isabella M. Webb, Of Dundee. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8568 | Webb | Stanley Lawrence | Sergeant | 1266998 | Age 33 | RAFVR | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-06-23 | Killed | Germany, Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 19. G. 1. | ![]() | Son Of George William And Lily Matilda Webb; Husband Of Violet Eileen Webb, Of Northolt Park, Greenford, Middlesex. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8569 | Webb | Frank William Skottowe | Sergeant | 439817 | Age 19 | RNZAF | 1944-10-03 | Killed | New Zealand, Dunedin (Anderson'S Bay) Cemetery, 6. 4. | Son Of Reginald Skottowe Webb And Ngaire Elizabeth Webb, Of Dunedin, Otago. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8570 | Webb | John Gibson | Flying Officer | 4213414 | Age 20 | RNZAF | 1944-07-27 | Killed | United Kingdom, Haddington (St. Martin'S) New Burial Ground, Sec. E. Grave 24. | ![]() | Son Of The Revd. Canon Cyprian Edmond Parker Webb And Mary Webb, Of Eloly Cross Vicarage, St. Kilda, Otago, New Zealand. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8571 | Webb | Bernard Herbert | Flight Lieutenant | 2407 | Age 35 | RNZAF | 575Sqn (RAF) | 1945-04-21 | Killed | Netherlands (Holland), Venray War Cemetery, VII. A. 13. | ![]() | Son Of Reginald Webb And Of Frances Webb (Nee Holmden), Of Kelburn, Wellington, New Zealand; Husband Of Jeannette Lucie Burnard-Webb, Of Wadestown, Wellington. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8572 | Webster | John Colin | Pilot Officer | 403780 | Age 21 | RNZAF | 61Sqn (RAF) | 1942-10-17 | Killed | France, Ecuisses Communal Cemetery, Plot T. Row 3. Grave 4. | Son Of Lawrence William Webster And Of Mabel Webster (Nee Souness), Of Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8573 | Webster | Leo Clifford | Flight Sergeant | 405352 | Age 26 | RNZAF | 1942-11-21 | Killed | Malta, Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2. | ![]() | Son Of John And Elsie Maria Gwendoline Webster, Of Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8574 | Webster | John Dorset | Pilot Officer | 405351 | Age 25 | RNZAF | 234Sqn | 1942-07-23 | Killed | United Kingdom, Runnymede Memorial, Panel 117. | ![]() | Son Of Lewis Dorset Webster And Of Adele Marie Webster (Nee Avery), Of New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8575 | Webster | Wilfred Dawson | Flight Sergeant | 413524 | Age 22 | RNZAF | 227Sqn
| 1943-09-20 | Killed | Egypt, Alamein Memorial, Column 278. | ![]() | Son Of Wilfred Dawson Webster And Eileen Mary Webster, Of New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8576 | Webster | Stephen Hartley Samuel | Sergeant | 4215767 | Age 20 | RNZAF | 1944-11-03 | Killed | New Zealand, Hamilton East Public Cemetery, Public Area E2, Masonic Grave 147. | Son Of Thomas Samuel And Vera Marguerite Webster, Of Hamilton. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8577 | Webster | Harold Wilson | Warrant Officer | 428172 | Age 23 | RNZAF | 1945-04-18 | Killed | India, Kirkee War Cemetery, 13. A. 2. | ![]() | Son Of Alexander And Ethel Vera Webster, Of Wanganui, Wellington, New Zealand. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8578 | Webster | D A | Pilot Officer | RCAF | Bomber Command | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1941-11-07 | Wellington | Ic | X9951 | AA- | Feltwell | Berlin | ? | PoW | Paradie Archive Database | |||||||||||||
| 8579 | Webster | John Dorset | Pilot Officer | NZ/405351 | Pilot | RNZAF | Fighter Command | 234Sqn![]() | 1942-07-23 | Spitfire | Vb | AR285 | AZ-? | RAF Portreath, Cornwall | 1520 | Sweep | See archive report for further details | Missing - believed killed | Runnymede Memorial. Panel 117 | ![]() | Read Archive Report | ||||||||
| 8580 | Webster | J C | Pilot Officer | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 61Sqn ![]() | 1942-10-17 | Lancaster | I | W4774 | QR- | Syerston | 1200 | Montchanin | Crashed target area | Killed | Escuisses Communal | ||||||||||||
| 8581 | Webster | Harold Wilson | Warrant Officer | NZ/428172 | Age 23 | New Zealand | Pilot | RNZAF | British Air Forces, South-East Asia | 3 Refresher Training Unit. | 1945-04-18 | Spitfire | VC | JL317 | - | Poona (Pune), India | 1105 | Training | See archive report for further brief details | Killed | Kirkee War Cemetery (India). Grave 13.A.2 | ![]() Courtesy NAA | Born on the 18th February 1922 at Dunedin. Served 4 months in territorial army. Worked as a clerk for Public Trust Office at Wanganui prior to service. Enlisted at New Plymouth on the 11th July 1942. Trained at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School joining as a pilot U/T on the 06th February 1943. Further training at No. 2 Service Flying Training School joining on the 31st March 1943.
Pilots badge awarded on the 07th June 1943 and promoted to sergeant on the 31st July 1943. Embarked for England on the 21st August 1943. Attached to No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School in December then to No. 5 Pilot Advanced Flying Unit 14th March 194. Embarked for Egypt on the 15th July 1944. Attached to No. 73 Operational Training Unit on 26th August 1944. Embarked for India in December 1944. Joined No. 3 Refresher Training Unit on the 25th February 1945. Son of Alexander and Ethel Vera Webster, of Wanganui, Wellington, New Zealand. A total of 380 flying hours logged with 51 on the Spitfire. | ||||||
| 8582 | Webster | Stephen Hartley Samuel | Sergeant | NZ/4215767 | Age 20 | New Zealand | Pilot | RNZAF | Fighter Command | No. 4 Operational Training Unit (RNZAF) | 1944-11-03 | P-40M Warhawk | NZ3115 | 27493 | RNZAF Ohakea | Training | See archive report for details. | Killed | Hamilton East Public Cemetery. Public Area E2, Masonic Grave 147 | | Born on the 19th June 1924 in Hamilton. Educated at Whitiora School and Hamilton Technical College. Worked as an apprentice engineer for Mullan and Noy Ltd. With Air Trains Corp for a year. Enlisted at Levin on the 04th December 1942. After 11 months at the Ground Training Schools at Taleri and Delta, he went to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua in November and then commenced flying at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, Taier 03rd February 1944.
First solo flight on the 11th February in a Tiger Moth. On the 07th April he was posted to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne for further training on Harvard aircraft, qualifying for his flying badge on the 26th June and promoted to sergeant on the 16th August 1944. Joined No. 4 Operational Training Unit flying the P-40 on the 28th October. A total of 248 hours flying hours logged with 7 on the P-40. Son of Thomas Samuel (died 22nd August 1956 age 72) and Vera Marguerite Webster (née Parker - died 23rd May 1970, age 75, of 38 Liverpool Street, Hamilton, New Zealand. | ||||||||
| 8583 | Weddell | A McA | Sergeant | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 77Sqn![]() | 1942-03-27 | Whitley | V | Z9221 | KN- | Leeming | St-Nazaire | Crashed on Kirby Malzaerd Moor YORKS | Injured | ||||||||||||||
| 8584 | Weir | I R McK | Pilot Officer | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 76Sqn![]() | 1944-06-28 | Halifax | III | MZ736 | MP-S | Holme on Spalding Moor | 2226 | Blainville | Crashed at Sacy-le-Grand {Oise} | PoW | |||||||||||||
| 8585 | Weir | Leslie Vincent | Flying Officer | NZ/412294 | Age 36 | New Zealand | Pilot | RNZAF | Fighter Command | 486Sqn![]() | 1942-10-31 | Typhoon | Ib | R8701 | SA-? | RAF Tangmere, Sussex | 1615 | Patrol | See archive report for further brief details | Missing - believed killed | Runnymede Memorial. Panel 114 | ![]() Courtesy AWMM | Born on the 22nd October 1906 at Whangarei. Worked as a marine engineer for South Westland Shipping. prior to service. A member of the West Coast United Aero Club - 'A' licence gained on the 30th September 1936. Enlisted at Levin on the 13th April 1941. Attached to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School on the 24th May 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 22nd July 1941. Further training with No. 6 Service Flying Training School joining on the 18th August 1941. Awarded pilots badge on the 22nd November 1941 and received his commission. Embarked for England on the 14th November 1941. Attached to 55 Operational Training Unit on the 23rd December 1941. Joined 486 squadron on the 25th March 1942. Son of Archibald Douglas Weir, and of Emily Agnes Weir (nee Boyd), of Whangarei, New Zealand. A total of 427 flying hours logged and on his 21st operational sortie. | ||||||
| 8586 | Weir | Leslie Vincent | Flying Officer | 412294 | Age 36 | RNZAF | 486Sqn | 1942-10-31 | Killed | United Kingdom, Runnymede Memorial, Panel 114. | ![]() | Son Of Archibald Douglas Weir, And Of E. A. Weir, Of Whangarei, Auckland, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8587 | Weir | Harrison | Flight Sergeant | 413917 | Age 29 | RNZAF | 608Sqn (RAF) | 1943-06-04 | Killed | Algeria, Bone War Cemetery, Annaba, I. E. 18. | ![]() | Son Of Joseph Brown Weir And Of Jessie Weir (Nee Mclay), Of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8588 | Welch | Harold Rangi | Sergeant W/Op Air Gunner | NZ/41709 | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1942-12-16 | Stirling | I | R9245 | AA-N | RAF Newmarket, Suffolk | 2211 | Gardening | Crashed on take off | Killed | Newmarket Cemetery Plot P. Grave 417 | Read Archive Report | ||||||||||
| 8589 | Welch | B | Sergeant | Bomber Command | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1943-04-16 | Stirling | III | BK664 ? | AA-M | Newmarket | 2200 | Mannheim | Crashed at base on return | |||||||||||||||
| 8590 | Welch | Brian Desmond Joseph | Flying Officer | 41719 | Age 26 | New Zealand | Air Gunner | RNZAF | Far East | 4 Sqn (NZ)![]() | 1945-07-01 | Ventura | PV-I | NZ4607 | MSN: 6205 | RNZAF Emirau | 07:07 | Medium-level strike | See archive report for details. | Sole survivor - died on the 30th January 1989 at Greenlane Hospital, Auckland. | Later: Aroha Cemetery, Waikato, Soldier's Lawn, Block RSA, Row 6, Plot 189. | See archive report for comprehensive biography details: Son of Desmond Ryan Welch (died 04th March 1962, age 67) and Catherine Josephine (née Jameson - died 08th December 1976, age 83) Welch. Brother of Betty Catherine Welch (later O'Brien - died 05th March 1993, age 71 in Australia) | |||||||
| 8591 | Welch | Harold Rangi | Sergeant | 41709 | Age 23 | RNZAF | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1942-12-16 | Killed | United Kingdom, Newmarket Cemetery, Plot P. Grave 417. | ![]() | Son Of Harold Lawrence Vere Welch And May Welch, Of Taradale, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8592 | Wellard | Jeffrey Ormond | Sergeant | 934712 | Age 22 | RAFVR | 489Sqn (RNZAF) | 1942-08-11 | Killed | United Kingdom, Runnymede Memorial, Panel 96. | ![]() | Son Of James George And Lillian Wellard, Of Dulwich, London. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8593 | Wellington | Daniel | Flight Sergeant | 405459 | Age 31 | RNZAF | 7Sqn (RAF) | 1943-03-27 | Killed | Germany, Sage War Cemetery, 10. C. 12. | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8594 | Wellington | Daniel "Dick" | Flight Sergeant | 405459 | 18th February 1912 in Singapore | New Zealand | Navigator | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 7 Sqn![]() | 1943-03-27 | Stirling | I | BF317 | MG:X | Oakington | 19:40 | Berlin | Hit by flak from 3./schw. Flak. 163, 2. & 4./schw. Flak Abt. 231, 4./schw. Flak Abt. 611 and 2. & 3./schw. Flak Abt. 222. The aircraft crashed at 21:38 hrs at Melchiorshausen , 10km S of Bremen. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (1 January - 22 June) 1943 Part 1 - Theo Boiten) | Killed | Sage War Cemetery 10.C.12 | ![]() | Son of Daniel Cunningham and Margaret Georgina (née Gerrard) and husband to Olga Dolores (née Thompson) Wellington from Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||
| 8595 | Wells | George | Sergeant | 391886 | Age 23 | RNZAF | 10Sqn (RAF) | 1941-07-25 | Killed | Netherlands (Holland), Texel (Den Burg) Cemetery, Plot K. Row 3. Grave 61. | ![]() | Son Of George And Ada Rose Wells, Of Fielding, Wellington, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8596 | Wells | Stuart Daniel | Flight Sergeant | 41969 | Age 20 | RNZAF | 149Sqn (RAF) | 1942-09-30 | Killed | Germany, Hamburg Cemetery, 6A. E. 11. (Sp. Mem.) | ![]() | Son Of Charles Archer Wells And Mabel Lillian Wells, Of Mount Maunganui, Auckland, New Zealand. Buried At The Time In Heligoland Civil Cemetery, But Whose Grave Is Now Lost. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8597 | Wells | Charles Easton | Sergeant | 411112 | Age 28 | RNZAF | 1651 C.U. | 1942-07-29 | Killed | Germany, Becklingen War Cemetery, 26. J. 6. | ![]() | Son Of George And Ada Rose Wells, Of Feilding, Wellington, New Zealand. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8598 | Wells | Roy Albert | Sergeant | 1802473 | Age 21 | RAFVR | 75Sqn RNZAF![]() | 1944-10-05 | Killed | Germany, Rheinberg War Cemetery, Coll. Grave 8. G. 10-14. | ![]() | Son Of Charles Albert And Evelyn May Wells; Husband Of Joyce Violet Wells, Of Egham, Surrey. | |||||||||||||||||
| 8599 | Wells | Edward Preston 'Hawkeye' | WCdr | 1916-07-26 Cambridge New Zealand | New Zealand | Pilot | DSO DFC & Bar ![]() | RAF | Fighter Command | 266Sqn![]() 41Sqn ![]() 485Sqn (NZ) ![]() Kenley and Tangmere Wings | Spitfire | 12 | Survived war. Died 2005-11-04 | ![]() ![]() | Battle of Britain Ace 13 (WHess) After completing his flying training he sailed for the UK on 7th June in the RMS Rangitata. Wells had been a champion 12-bore shot during his school days in New Zealand, and his outstanding marksmanship earned him the nickname 'Hawkeye'. On arrival Wells went to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge to await a posting. He went to 7 OTU Hawarden on 4th August and after converting to Spitfires joined 266 Squadron at Wittering on the 26th. He was posted to 41 Squadron at Hornchurch on 2nd October. Wells claimed a Me109 destroyed on 17th October, he probably destroyed a Me109 and damaged another on the 25th and he destroyed a Me109 on 2nd November. He became the first British-based fighter pilot to engage the Italians, when he chanced on some CR42's over the Channel on the 11th. He damaged a CR42 and probably destroyed a Hs126. On 27th November he destroyed another Me109 and on 22nd January 1941 he damaged a He111. When 485 Squadron began to form at Driffield in March 1941 Wells joined it on the 15th. He scored the squadron's first victory on 5th July, a Me109 shot down during a close-cover escort for Stirlings to Lille. On the 24th Wells destroyed another Me109. On 16th August Wells damaged a Me109, on the 19th he destroyed a Me109 and damaged another, on 7th September he probably destroyed a Me109, on the 18th destroyed another, on the 21st destroyed two more and on 2nd October probably another. He took command of 485 Squadron on 22nd November. He led the squadron in the operations against the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau on 12th February 1942. Wells destroyed a Fw190 on 24th April and damaged another on the 25th. He was promoted to Acting Wing Commander on 5th May and appointed Wing Leader at Kenley. On 24th May he damaged a Me109 and on 20th June he destroyed a Fw190. Wells was awarded the DSO (gazetted 28th July 1942) and posted back to New Zealand, on loan to the Government. He returned to the UK on 4th April 1943 and in late May was sent for a course at RAF Staff College, after which he again took over the Kenley Wing, leading it until mid-November, when he went to HQ 11 Group, as Wing Commander Training. Wells was posted to lead the Tangmere Wing on 20th March 1944 and he destroyed a Me410 on the ground on the 28th. During the next few months he led both the Detling and West Malling Wings. On 1st November 1944 Wells went to CFE Wittering to command the Day Fighter Leaders School. He was released from the RNZAF in the UK on 13th February 1947 to take up a permanent commission in the RAF. In 1954 he took command of the air defence radar station at Bawdsey, on the Suffolk coast, where he was able to indulge his love of wild fowling. After serving with the Joint Planning Staff he retired from the RAF as a group captain in June 1960. After a spell farming near Woodbridge, in 1975 Wells moved to Spain. He travelled around the world gathering species of sub-tropical fruits, many of which he grew commercially. He received many awards from the Spanish authorities for his fruit-growing and for his studies into fruit diseases. In September 1943 he married Mary D de Booy at Marylebone London, who three years earlier, aged 17, had escaped in a fishing boat with her parents and sister from Nazi-occupied Holland, landing on the east coast with no belongings. She passed away in 2001 and was survived by her husband,daughter and son. The de Booy family soon became involved with the Red Cross, and the two sisters were in demand for tea dances in London held for Commonwealth members of the RAF. When an invitation was received by his squadron, Wells was detailed by his commanding officer to attend, thus meeting his future wife. DFC Citation August 29th, 1941: 'This officer has served with fighter squadrons since May, 1940, and has taken part in many engagements against the enemy. He has destroyed at least five of their aircraft and has damaged others. He has at all times shown the greatest courage and determination.' Bar to DFC Citation November 11th, 1941: 'This officer has completed 46 operational sorties over enemy territory He is a splendid leader and a most determined and skilful fighter pilot whose keenness in action sets a splendid example Flight Lieutenant Wells has definitely destroyed 13, probably destroyed 5 and damaged a further 8 hostile aircraft.' DSO Citation: August 7th, 1942: 'This officer has completed many operational sorties. He has destroyed 11, probably destroyed 3 and damaged many more hostile aircraft. His courage, skill and initiative have proved a source of inspiration to his colleagues and his fine leadership has contributed materially to the many successes achieved by the wing.' | ||||||||||||||
| 8600 | Wells | G | Sergeant | RNZAF | Bomber Command | 10Sqn![]() | 1941-07-25 | Whitley | V | Z6624 | ZA-O | Leeming | 2221 | Hannover | Crashed North Sea | Killed | Den Burg General Cemetery Texel |
Results 8551 to 8600 of 9042.
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