Operation: Training

Date: 06th January 1941 (Monday)

Unit: Flying Instructors School

Type: Tiger Moth II

Serial: NZ723

Code: E

Base: RNZAF Hobsinvilled, New Zealand

Location: Waitemata Harbour, Auckland

Pilot: P/O. Arthur Clendon Long NZ/401496 RNZAF age 29. Seriously injured

Pilot: P/O. Peter Southey Worsp NZ/401420 RNZAF Age 26. Seriously injured

REASON FOR LOSS:

Aircraft history

Built at Hatfield. Issued with UK C of A number 6520 on the 10th March 1939 and imported into New Zealand for the Auckland Aero Club. Issued with New Zealand Certificate of Registration on the 15th June 1939 and registered as ZK-AHF. Impressed into the RNZAF on the 01st October 1939 for a cost of £1,650.

During flying practice overshot at 15:25 hrs went round again on another circuit.

Spun off a steep downwind turn, overcorrected and failed to recover from a further spin. Crashed into Waitemata Harbour near mouth of Whau Creek.

Both pilots were seriously injured but P/O. Worsp was able to rescue his colleague from the wreckage. They were both picked up by a Teal launch and both taken to Auckland Public hospital.

P/O. Worsp did not return to service until the 09th June 1941. P/O. Long was later transferred to Wellington Public Hospital on the 11th of April 1941 but despite treatment, he died of his injuries on the 27th of September 1942. For his unselfish actions P/O. Worsp received a letter of commendation from the Ministry of Defence.

Sadly. the then Fl/Lt Worsp was reported missing on Christmas Eve 1943. Whilst with 17 squadron flying a P-40N Warhawk NZ3140 over New Georgia, Solomon Islands.

Burial and personal details:

P/O. Arthur Clendon Long. Wellington Crematorium (Karori). 223. A. Marble wall. Born on the 21st of September 1913 in Simla, India. Moved to New Zealand in 1921. Educated at Mt. Albert Grammar and Takapuna Schools and Victoria University College. Worked as a clerk for the Defence Department, Wellington. Enlisted at Levin as a pilot under training on 04th June 1940. Trained at No. 2 Elementary Training School 01st July 1940 and then with No. 2 Flying Training School 25th August 1940. Pilot badge awarded on the 29th October 1940. Awarded his commission on the 21st December 1940. Then to Flying Instructor School on the 02nd January 1941. Son of Frank Clendon Long and Doris Olive Long (née Liddell), of Raumati South, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand.

Above courtesy Angeline O'Grady who took these photographs for us in October 2022

Later:

P/O. Peter Southey Worsp. Bourail Memorial. Panel 3. Born on the 20th November 1916 in Auckland. Educated at Whangarei High School and Auckland University College. A law clerk for Alexander, Bennett and Warbock in Whangarei. Enlisted on the 04th June 1940 at Levin as a pilot under training. Trained at No. 2 Elementary Training School on 29th June 1940 and then with No. 2 Flying Training School on 25th August 1940. Pilot badge awarded on the 28th October 1940. Awarded his commission on the 21st December 1940. Then to Flying Instructor School on the 02nd January 1941. After hospital treatment to No. 3 Flying Training School flying the Gordon for drogue towing duties 11th August 1941. No. 1 Service Flying Training School as an instructor on the 08th March 1942 as an instructor on the Harvard. With No. 2 Flying Training School 22nd May 1942. On the 05th June 1943 uninjured when another Harvard landed on yop go his aircraft. Further training with No. 20 Operational Training Unit flying the P-40 07th August 1943. Posted to 18 squadron on the 17th of September and sent to the Pacific. Posted with the squadron to New Zealand in October 1943/ Returned with the squadron to Pacific on the 01st Decker 1943. Son of Harry Ernest Worsp and of Flora Daphne Southey Worsp (née Baker), of Auckland City. New Zealand.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew thanks 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, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, Angeline O'Grady, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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