Operation: Cross Country Flight

Date: 05th November 1943 (Friday)

Unit: No. 17 (NZ) Squadron

Type: Harvard IIA

Serial: NZ1008

Code: -

Base: RNZAF Woodbourne, New Zealand

Location: Kapiti Island

Pilot: P/O. Harold Nevill Longley NZ/ 425794 RNZAF Age 21. Killed

Pilot 2: Fl/Sgt. Ivan Frederick Cummins NZ/41884 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

When the Harvard was reported overdue on a flight from Woodbourne to Ohakea a search was immediately made and wreckage located on Kapiti Island. A launch with medical officers aboard was immediately dispatched, but on arrival it was found that the two occupants had lost their lives when the aircraft crashed in poor visibility at 10:00 hrs..

Buria and further details:

P/O. Harold Nevill Longley. Invercargill Cemetery. Grave 64.31. Born at Invercargill on the 2nd June 1922. Educated at the Southland Boys' High School and the Southland Technical College (night school). Employed as a bank clerk by the bank of Australasia, Invercargill and Blenheim. Enlisted in April 1942 after completing his ground training went to Taieri for training on Tiger Moth. He first flew solo, on the 10th December. In February posted to Woodbourne for further training on the Harvard. Awarded his wings on the 12th April 1943 and was granted a temporary Commission on the 05th June 5th June 1943.

The Same month he went to Ohakea for further training on Kittyhawks. In July 1943, he was posted to 17 (F) Squadron, Whenuapal. Posted overseas with that squadron, the same month to the South Pacific. He returned to New Zealand In October 1943 and went to returned to New Zealand October 1943 and went to Woodbourne for further training. He had completed 27 operational sorties and accrued 537 flying hours.

Son of Arthur Harold Longley (died 25th March 1980, age 83), and of Constance Elizabeth Evelyn Longley (née Helm - died 02nd July 1972, age 75), of Wellington City.

Fl/Sgt. Ivan Frederick Cummins. Papakura Public Cemetery . Grave 14.C. Born at Auckland on the 2nd September 1921. Education at the Seddon Memorial Technical College and the Auckland University College. Enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 9th February 1941, and posted to Whenuapai, on the 23rd March, for his elementary flying training; and then, on the 2nd May to No.3 Service Flying Training School, Ohakea. Awarded his wings on the 26th July and promoted to Sergeant on the 6th September. Later, while serving at Ohakea, he was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st November 1942. Meantime, on the 11th October 1941 he had proceeded to Wigram for staff pilot duties; then on the 25th March 1942, to Ohakea for similar duties. On the 9th September 1943, he was posted to No. 17 Squadron at Woodbourne, Blenheim, and flew Harvard aircraft.. The number of operational sorties but had completed a tour in the South Pacific.

Son of Frederick William Piercy Cummins (died 12th August 1967, age 84), and of Lucy Adelaide Cummins (nee Hall - died 05th July 1948, age 52), of 20 Jellicoe Road, Manurewa, Auckland.

L-R: Rear; James Manendo Liggins NZ/411910, Douglas James Naismith Gibson NZ/4118818, JF Taylor, Silver Charles Bryant NZ411855 , Desmond Arthur Roberts NZ/411994, John Charles Wilmshurst NZ/411962, Claude Rafel Stephenson NZ/411511, Wendell Craig Phillips NZ/41935, Cyril Charles Wrightson NZ/411998.

Centre; Horton Geoffrey Levien NZ/411987, Ian Curtis Grant NZ/41898, James Auld Morgan NZ/41928, Frank Ellison Gatland NZ/411970, Montague Eric Dark NZ/411862, Jack Bennett Reynolds NZ/411938, RS Rogers, Lloyd Westwood Foote NZ/411877, Leonard Adolphus Rayner N/411937, R Smith.

Front; Walter Norman Clark NZ/411967, Thomas Bruce Henry NZ//411895, Clarence Patrick Lund , NZ411912 James Cowan NZ/411861, Andrew Donald MacKay NZ/411919, John Thomas Hayes NZ/411893, David Haddon McMurray NZ/411990, Leslie James Waterhouse NZ/411960. Inset; Ivan Frederick Cummins NZ/41884l. (Courtesy Air Museum of 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, Aucklande, Wings Over New Zealand

Other sources as quoted below:

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