Operation: Strike Support

Date: 15th September 1944 (Friday)

Unit: No. 16 (NZ) Squadron

Type: Vought Corsair F41-1

Serial: NZ5329

Code: -

Base: Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands

Location: Torokina airstrip

Pilot: Sgt. Neville Rowlands NZ426710 RNZAF Age 21. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Returning from the combined 16 and 21 squadron strike was one of two aircraft instructed to land. Both of which were closely followed by others from 22 squadron Corsairs

Sgt. Neville Rowlandfinallys (Courtesy Graeme Rowlands)

On final approach collided with Fl/Sgt. William Jardine NZ/4217078 flying F4U-1 Corsair NZ5237 of 22 squadron. Both aircraft crashed at 09:15 hrs on the western end of the airstrip - killing both pilots.

Above left: Torokina, Bougainville - shaded areas show Japanese-occupied territory. Right: Torokina beach. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Burial and other details:

Both pilots were initially buried at the Empress Augusta Bay American War Cemetery but then transferred to the Torokina Australian War Cemetery before finally being interred at Bourail/

Sgt. Neville Rowlands. Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery. Grave 8.13. Also remembered on parents grave in Te Henui Cemetery, New Plymouth, New Zealand. Born on the 14th of April 1924 in New Plymouth. Enlisted in the RNZAF in December 1942. Awarded his pilot wings on the 24th of January 1944 and was promoted to sergeant on the 18th of March 1944. Son of Harry Melton Rowlands (died 29th August 1948 age 56) and of Grace Rowlands (née Laurence - died 18th April 1968. age 71), of Junction Road, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. A total of 382 flying hours were recorded.

Fl/Sgt. William Wreford Lewis Jardine. Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery. Grave 8.10. Born on the 09th June 1924 in Carterton. Enlisted on the 25th December 1942. Wings were awarded on the 29th of November 1943. Son of Colonel Leonard Handford Jardine DSO. MC. (died 15th May 1969, aged 78) Agnes Maud Wreford Jardine (née Lowis - died 14th August 1939, aged 40), of East Road, Stratford, Taranaki, New Zealand. 388 flying hours were logged and on his second South Pacific tour - the first with 16 squadron.

L-R: Rear; N.L Kiddle, G.R Bary, A.L Rieper, L.H Juno, L.W Middleton.
3rd Row; C.J Berryman, G.J Ronayne, C.D Maclean, P.K Frame, G.T Watt, J.T Barr, R.W Henderson, C.O Brady.
2nd Row; J.S Gillam, E.R Hoy, K.H Harpin, J.V.H Robinson, P.L Kennedy, B.K Knowles, R.F Garnham.
Front; L.A Zorn, E.T Lang, J.W.S Nelson, W.H Wilson, N. Rowlands, A.S Tie, F.B Bennett, J.D Thorburn. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

L-R: Rear; William Wreford Lewis Jardine NZ/4217078 ✞, David William Coll Ellison NZ/4215145 ✞, K. Rogers, L. Woodhead, R. Mansell, F. Smith (Intelligence Officer), John Richard Holland NZ/421515, D. Mills, B. Newfield, P. Rowley. .
Centre; Ernest Charles Laurie NZ/42417 ✞, Keith Walter Starnes NZ/413141 ✞, M. Jones, Allen Gerald Sievers NZ/391848 Commanding Officer), A. Mitchell, David Keith Mulligan NZ/42441, D. Barr, Arthur Frederick Tucker NZ/414703.
Front; L. Lyons, P. Freyberg, P. Thomson, E.R Reynolds, S. Rowe, Raymond Charles George Dixie NZ/132394,, O. Marshal, George Ian Luoni NZ/421071. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Above: RNZAF at Bougainville, Solomon Islands page (Courtesy Pacific Film Unit Pathe News)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of these pilots 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.

Other pages that may interest you:

Pages regarding accidents

Pages detailing RNZAF losses

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