Operation: Strike Vunapope

Date: 05th June 1944 (Monday)

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

Type: TBF-1C Avenger

Serial: NZ2518

Code: -

Base: Piva Bomber Strip, Bougainville, Solomon Islands

Location: Vunapope, East New Britain

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Charles Gordon Gladstone Prior NZ/39935 RNZAF Age 31. Initially - missing presumed killed

Nav: F/O. Sydney Ernest Clayton NZ/426214 RNZAF Age 31. Initially - missing presumed killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: W/O. Theo Raymond Scarlett NZ/411234 RNZAF Age 31. Initially - missing presumed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

The main effort of the squadrons while stationed in the combat area was against Rabaul and its airfields. In conjunction with American squadrons, they sent overflights of six or twelve aircraft each every day except when prevented by bad weather. The Vunakanau and Tobera strips, which the Japanese showed most industry in repairing, were the most frequently attacked. Following the usual practice, the SBDs dived into the surrounding anti-aircraft positions to silence them and were immediately followed by the TBFs, which plastered the runways. By the end of April, the continuous attacks had had an appreciable effect on the ack-ack defences. Although for many months yet they were to be formidable, they were not as strong as they had been earlier in the year.

Took off at 10:45 hrs with 11 others and was hit by flak over the target area and flew into the ground to the SE and caught fire.

The crash site was not located by a search team until after the hostilities.

Above as described (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

A post-war search by an Australian war graves unit located the aircraft and the bodies of the crew which they buried nearby. They were later exhumed and reburied at Bourail, New Caledonia. In 2001 an American military unit discovered the crash site and believing it was an American Avenger with American bodies they took the remains they found to Hawaii. Examination, including DNA testing, revealed the remains from the New Zealanders. Contact was made with two of the airmen's relatives and the remains were taken to New Zealand and then to Bourail to be buried in late 2008.

During 1992-1998, TBM Avenger 91110 was painted in the markings of this aircraft. It is now we understand based at RNZAF Base Ohakea, New Zealand.

Above L-R: F/O. Sydney Clayton, Fl/Lt. Charles Prior and W/O. Theo Scarlett (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Charles Gordon Gladstone Prior. Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery. Joint grave 8. 34-35. Born on the 29th December 1912 in Portsmouth, England. Worked as a tractor driver for the Southern Cross Construction Company, Enlisted on the 26th October 1938 at Levin. He earned his flying badge on the 21st March 1940 and was commissioned on the 04th of March 1940. Joined 31 squadron on the 03rd January 1944

Son of John Cromwell Prior and J,C Prior (née Bailey, later Fiddes), Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England. Husband of Muriel Prior (née East)

F/O. Sydney Ernest Clayton. Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery. Joint grave 8. 34-35. Born on the 24th November 1913 in Darlington, Co. Durham, England. Educated at Napier Boys High School. A school master prior two service. Enlisted at Waipapakauri on the 30th Mat 1942. Commissioned on the 11th November 1942. Air Navigators Badge awarded on th 21st February 1944. Joined 31 squadron on the 22nd February 1944. A total of 237 flying hours logged.

Son of Ernest (died 22nd May 1972, age 90) and Alice Clayton (died 29th August 1945, age 67), of Waterhouse Street, Taradale, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

W/O. Theo Raymond Scarlett. Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery. Grave 6. 27. Born on the 17th October 1912 in Karames. Worked at Karamea Dairy Co. Ltd., in Karames. Enlisted in February 1941, Trained in New Zealand and Canada. Wireless Operator Air Gunner's Badge awarded on the 29th September 1941. Joined 31 Squadron on the 20th March 1944.

Son of Walter Andrew (died 24th January 1973, age 79) and Lilian Elsie Scarlett (née Cresswell - died 29th November 1957, age 67), of Stockton Mine, Nelson, 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, Pacific Wrecks.

Other pages that may interest you:

Pages regarding 1944 losses

Pages detailing RNZAF losses

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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