Operation: Training

Date: 13th March 1942 (Friday)

Unit: No. 239 Squadron (motto: Exploramus - 'We seek out'). 35 Wing

Type: Hurricane IIC

Serial: BN864

Code: HB-?

Base: RAF Gatwick, Surrey

Location: Quantock Hills, Somerset

Pilot: P/O. James Joseph Jack Grevatt NZ/402450 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Not a great deal of information but P/O. Grevatt was taking part in air firing practice when the Hurricane flew into high ground at Quantock Hills in Somerset at 17:55 hrs.

The experienced young New Zealand pilot was killed.

Burial and additional personal details:

P/O. James Joseph Jack Grevatt. Bridgwater Cemetery (Quantock Road). Sec. C. Grave 178. Born on the 17th March 1917 at Auckland. Played for Massey Agricultural College, University Hockey Club 1938, 39 and 1940.

Massey Agricultural College Senior Hockey XI, 1939 The Massey Agricultural College Senior Eleven Hockey Team.

Rear row, L-R: H.G. Hopewell, unidentified, unidentified, J. Price. Middle row: J.J. Grevatt, J.G. Wishart, H.B. Lawry, L. Southon, unidentified. Front row: Both unidentified.

Worked for W.G. Grevatt and sons (builders) prior to service. A member of the Aukland Aero Club. Served in the New Zealand territorial army for 15 months. Member of the Middle District Aero Club and gained his 'A' licence on the 11th October 1939. A total of 13 flying hours logged prior to enlisting in the RNZAF. Enlisted at Whenuapai, North Island on the 09th July 1940 as an aircraft hand but remastered as a 21st December 1940. Trained at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 02nd March 1941. Further training with No. 3 Flying Training School joining on the 12th April 1941.

Pilots course 11B, No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Harewood.

L-R: Rear; Porter, Gray, Fergusson, Partridge, Wilson, Haigh, McKenzie, McGill-Nutt. 3rd row; Meares, Regnault, Palliser, Kissel, Russell, Sullivan, Jenner, Creed, Fox, Saville, Grofski, Bugg, Worsley, Rickerby, Stone. 2nd row; Corby, Jacobson, Malone, Hooker, Clayton, Scollay, Ross, Taylor, Baines, Kibble, Haase, Robinson, Mitchell, Jameson. Front; Watkins, Evans, Shrimpton, Turner, Picton, Round, Grevatt, Conibear, Pavish, Thurston, Sharland, Gawith, Randall.

Pilots badge awarded on the 25th May 1941 and commissioned on the 05th July 1941. Embarked for England on the 22nd July 1941. Further training with 41 Operational Training Unit joining on the 16th September 1941. Joined 239 Squadron on the on the 29th November 1941. Slightly injured in a road traffic accident on the 07th February 1942 being treated at the Station Sick Quarters, rejoining squadron on the 29th February 1942.

Son of Charles Edward Grevatt (died 01st April 1960) and of Minnie Rose Grevatt (nee Blaikie - died 03rd January 1970), brother of Roie Nancy Grevatt (died 22nd February 2009, age 93) of Herne Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 291 flying hours logged.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to 239 Squadron and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Auckland Council Library, other sources as quoted below:

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