Operation: Vunakanau airfield

Date: 28th May 1944 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 31 Squadron (NZ) (motto 'Kia Mataara')

Type: TBF-1C Avenger

Serial: NZ2530

Code: -

Base: Piva Bomber Strip, Bougainville, Solomon Islands

Location: Off Rabaul, New Britain

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Melvin Roland Greenslade NZ/1225 RNZAF Age 35. Missing - believed killed

Nav: Lt. (A) John Craig Morrison DSC. RNZNVR Age 26. Missing - believed killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. William George Angus Mccloud NZ/425766 RNZAF Age 21. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 08:10 hrs on a strike against Vunakanau airfield, Rabaul, New Britain with five others, the New Zealand formation joining up with 12 Avengers. When bombing the target at 09:50 hrs and although not observed by others of the Squadron, believed to have been hit by flak and crashed shortly after passing over the NW end of the runway.

Above L-R: Lt. (A) John Morrison DSC, Fl/Lt. Melvin Greenslade and Fl/Sgt. William Mccloud (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Melvin Roland Greenslade. Bourail Memorial. Panel 3. Born on the 15th May 1910 at Dunedin. Otago Aero Club by December 1933, 'A' Licence gained on the 20th February 1934. Pilots Badge awarded late 1935/early 1936, civil 'B' Licence awarded on the 21st July 1936. Joined 31 Squadron (Avenger) on the 06th January 1944, with Squadron to Pacific on the 22nd May 1944. A total of 2021 flying hours logged.

Son of Robert William Mason Greenslade (died 15th June 1935, age 61) and of Florence Ada Greenslade (née Pledger - died 01st March 1926), of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Husband of Dorothea Veronica Greenslade, of Dunedin, New Zealand

Lt. (A) John Craig Morrison DSC. New Zealand Naval Memorial. Panel 8. Also remembered on family grave at Karori Cemetery and Crematorium. Wellington. Born on the 10th January 1918 in Wellington. Enlisted on the 08th July 1940 in the RN/FAA, Air Observers Badge and Commissioned on the 19th July 1941. Had previously served with the FAA in the mediterranean theatre where he was awarded his DSC. Joined 31 Squadron (Avenger) on the 16th December 1943.

Son of Duncan (died 16th August 1940, age 73) and Grace Catherine Morrison (née Croft - died 21st August 1944, age 68). Husband of Mary Ann Morrison (née Burrowes - married 27th March 1943 at St John’s Presbyterian Church, Wellington, of Petone, Wellington, New Zealand

Fl/Sgt. William George Angus Mccloud. Bourail Memorial. Panel 6. Also remembered on family grave at Karoo Cemetery, Greymouth, New Zealand. Born on the 06th July 1922 at Hokitika. Worked as a sawmill hand for T. McGrath, West Kumara. Enlisted on the 29th May 1942 at Ohakea, Trained in New Zealand and Canada. Wireless Operator/Air Gunner badge awarded and promoted to sergeant on the 28th June 1943. Joined 31 Squadron (Avenger - 1 operational sortie) on the 17th January 1944. Ditched after e/f (uninjured) on the 14/15th March 1944 at Gisborne. A total of 307 flying hours logged.

Son of George James McCloud (died 22nd December 1951, age 57) and of Christina McCloud (née Angus - died 26th February 1958), of South Beach, Cobden, Westland, New Zealand.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archive.

Other pages that may interest you:

Pages regarding 1944 losses

Pages detailing RNZAF losses

Other sources as quoted below:

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