Operation: Intruder

Date: 30/01st October 1944 (Saturday/Sunday)

Unit: No. 487 (NZ) Squadron (motto: Ki te mutunga 'Through to the end')140 Wing, 2 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force.

Type: Mosquito VI

Serial: NS988

Code: EG-S

Base: RAF Thorney Island, Sussex

Location: English Channel

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Frederick Nettleship Shallcrass NZ/40678 RNZAF Age 29. Killed

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Guy William Hay North NZ/427845 RNZAF Age 26. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 20:00 hrs on an intruder operation to the railway installations at Venlo-Dusseldorh-Kleve areas together with 3 others.

The already poor weather had deteriorated further and further sorties for the squadron for the evening were cancelled but after the 4 had departed.

The wreckage of NS988 was discovered in the Channel about a mile from Friston. Only the body of the pilot was recovered.

Burial and personal details:

Fl/Lt. Frederick Nettleship Shallcrass. Crathie Cemetery. Grave 357. Born on the 18th July 1915 at Greymouth, South Island. Worked as a sales person for Spiers Radio Company at Westport prior to service. A member of the West Coast Aero club and obtained his 'A' licence on the 11th December 1935. Flew ov 50 hours solo before being offered a short service commission in June 1939. Enlisted in the RNZAF on the 20th September 1939 at Rongotai. Trained at No. 1 Flying Training School starting on the 24th October 1939 and then to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School on the 26th January 1940 where his training as a pilot was terminated and his commission relinquished. Reinlisted as a LAC observer under training on the 29th January 1940. Attached to No. 1 Air Observers School on the 09th February 1940. Awarded his air observer badge and promoted to sergeant on the 27th May 1940.

Embarked for England on the 07th June 1940. Attached to No. 17 Operational Training Unit on the 20th July 1940 flying on the Blenheim. Joined 106 squadron on the 02nd October 1940 flying on the Hampden. Attached to 248 squadron on the 12th October 1940 flying on the Blenheim. 04th May 1940 attached to 404 squadron flying the Blenheim on the 04th May 1941. Attached to 489 squadron on the 18th May 1942 flying on the Hampden. Awarded commission on the 16th September 1942. Attached to 13 Initial training Unit for training as a pilot on the 6th February 1943. Embarked for Canada in May 1943. Attached to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School on the 26th May 1943 and then to No. 19 Service Flying School . Awarded his pilot badge on the 12th November 1943.

Embarked for England on the 14th October 1943. After serving with 60 Operational Training Unit joined 487 squadron on the 12th September 1944 with his navigator.

Son of Frederick Water Shallcrass (died 03rd February 1960, age 84), and of Mary Phyllis Franklyn Shallcrass (nee Taylor - died 1969, age 86 - they married on the 15th April 1903) of Box 33, Greymouth, New Zealand. Husband of Annie Margaret Elizabeth Shallcrass (née Bissett, later Costello - died 17th August 2011, age 91), of Wakatu, Nelson. New Zealand.

Fl/Sgt. Guy William Hay North. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 264. Born on the 25th September 1918 at Balclutha, South Island. Worked as a clerk for National Bank of New Zealand prior to service. Served in the territorial army for 6 months. Enlisted in the RNZAF on the 11th July 1942 at Whenuapai. Embarked for Canada on the 01st April 1943. Trained at No. 5 Air Observer School. Awarded his air navigator badge and promoted to sergeant on the 01st October 1943.

Embarked for England on the 22nd October 1943. Attached to No. 60 Operational Training Unit 31st May 1943. Joined 487 squadron on the 12th September 1944. His birth name was registered as Keith William North.

Son of William Frederick North (died 23rd December 1954, age 66 at Owaka) and Alice Margaret North (née Hay - died 13th March 1974, age 82 at Oamaru). Husband of Joan Anita North (née Collins - later Jones) of Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 259 flying hours logged and on his 11th operational sortie.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot 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:

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