AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.
fighter command
19th June 1942 289 Squadron Defiant I N1569 Sgt. Munroe

Operation: Army Cooperation exercise

Date: 19th June 1942 (Friday)

Unit: No. 289 Squadron 13 Group

Type: Defiant I

Serial: N1569

Code: YE-?

Base: RAF Inverness, Scotland

Location: Moray Firth

Pilot: Sgt Murray Munroe RAFVR Safe

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Henry Lisle Christian NZ/41572 RNZAF Age 26. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 14:17 hrs on an anti-aircraft Army Cooperation exercise to Lossiemouth.

Shortly after there was an explosion from the engine, and although the pilot throttled back and opened up again there was another explosion and the aircraft vibrated violently. Both occupants baled out from 500 ft. over the Moray Firth. It seems that Sgt. Christian struck some part of the aircraft when abandoning it. The pilot although suffering from shock was picked up - he survived the war settling on Birmingham, England.

Burial details:

Sgt. Henry Lisle Christian. Inverness Cemetery (Tomnahurich). Sec. H. 14. Class 7. Grave 18. Born on the18th May 1916 at Owhango. Worked as a dairy farmer on his fathers farm at Owhango. Enlisted at Levin on the 19th January 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 27th February 1941. Air gunner badge awarded on the 01st September 1941 and promoted to sergeant. Embarked for England on the 18th September 1941. Joined 289 squadron on the 16th December 1941. Son of Henry William (died 04th November 1957, age 76) and Hilda Annette Christian (née Jacobsen - died 16th November 1959, age 70)), of Waimauku, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 123 flying hours logged.


Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew member with 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, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 23-11-2021

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

 Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2025 Last Modified: 23 November 2021, 15:50

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor