Archive Report: Allied Forces

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2 OTU (NZ) Harvard II NZ988 Sgt. James Lloyd Denholm

Operation: Flying training

Date: 26th February 1943 (Friday)

Unit: No. 2 Operational Training Unit (NZ)

Type: Harvard II

Serial: NZ988

Code: FE-O

Base: RNZAF Ohakea

Location: Tangimoana Beach

Pilot: Sgt. James Lloyd Denholm NZ/417034 RNZAF Age 29. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off on a local flying practice flight.

Whilst flying low along Tangimoana Beach near the Rangitikei River began to climb but struck a sandhill, turned over and crashed at 14:45 hrs killing the New Zealand pilot.

Above - self-explanatory (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand via Tony McDonald)

Burial and additional details:

Sgt. James Lloyd Denholm. Park Island Cemetery. Grave Pbyn. Sec. 40. 58. Born on the 02nd December 1922 in Napier. Educated at Napier Boys High School. A clerk for Richardson and Company in Napier. Enlisted at Levin as a pilot under training on the 21st December 1941. Hospital and sick leave 22nd January - 12th February 1942. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School 05th April 1942. No. 2 Service Flying Training School 13th June 1942. The pilot badge was awarded on the 18th of September 1942 and promoted to sergeant on the 28th of November 1942. No. 2 Operational Training Unit on the 05th December 1942 for conversion training on the P-40 Warhawk. 260 solo flying hours logged with 198 on the Harvard.

Son of Arthur Henry (died 14th May 1944, age 55) and Esther Elizabeth Denholm (née Barberdied 26th September 1931, age 41) of Napier, Hawke's Bay, stepson of Mary Pringle Denholm (née Barr), of Napier, New Zealand.

Above: Denholm family graves (Courtesy Denise Gore)

Above L-R: Rear; Pirie, Seymour, McPherson, Ludni, Jolly, Humphrie, Denholm, Edwards, Hague, Marchant.

Centre; Koford (Kofoed?), Willis, Bell, Russell, Antcliffe, Freeman, Turner, Sharp, Dockery, Odlin, Bradley, L. Williams.

Front; Gotlieb, Ayson, D. Williams, Chewings, McKenzie, Scott, Friis (Priis), O.Meara, Tilyard,Vickers. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot, thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Tony McDonald for wreckage photo, Denise Gore for the grave photo, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, other sources as quoted below:

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