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.

---

25.08.1944 No. 164 Squadron Typhoon Ib PD457 Sq/Ldr. Waddy DFC

Operation: Ramrod

Date: 25th August 1944 (Friday)

Unit: No. 164 Squadron 123 Wing, 84 Group, 02nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: PD457

Code: FJ-?

Base: Martragny (B 7)

Location: North of Rouen

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Ian Dousland Waddy DFC NZ/402195 RNZAF Age 29. PoW Camp: Stalag Luft Barth Vogelsang

REASON FOR LOSS:

After taking off at 18:55 hrs from the ALG in France with seven others from the Squadron, thought to have been brought down by anti-aircraft fire , north of Rouen, France.

One of three Typhoons lost this day from the Squadron whilst attacking tanks and military transport with rockets.

The others:
MN588 Flown by F/O. George Trafford - killed.
MN711 Flown by Fl/Sgt. Ronald White - killed.

Sq/Ldr. Waddy DFC citation LG 17th March 1944:

"This officer has participated in a large number of sorties, including very many attacks on shipping. Squadron Leader Waddy has led the squadron with great skill, courage, and determination and has played a good part in the numerous successes obtained. He has invariably pressed home his attacks with great determination, setting a fine example to all".

Burial Details:

None - survived the war. Born on the 05th November 1914 at Blenheim. Son of Charles Carlton Waddy (died 03rd July 1926, age 45) and Ethel Alice Dolina (née Bennett - died 01st June 1967, age 87). Husband of Margaret Maryand and father of two children, David and Michael. A farmer prior to service. Enlisted on the 31st August 1940, training with No. 2 Service Flying Training School on the 21st March 1941. Promoted to sergeant. Embarked for England via Canada on the 29th of April 1941 on HMT Awatea. (1)

He trained with 61 Operational Training Unit before being posted to 603 Squadron.

Served with 486 Squadron from 09th March 1942. Awarded commission on the 22nd of May 1942. As commander from 25th September 1943. Served with 55 Operational Training Unit from 11th January 1944, 4 Tactical Exercise Unit from 26th January 1944, 3 Tactical Exercise Unit from 28th March 1944, and 164 Squadron from 17th August 1944.

Passed away on the 16th September 1998, age 83. Buried at Awatere Cemetery()Seddon), Marlborough, Plot 13, Block L2, Lawn.

486 Squadron personnel in front of Typhoon SA-F, at RAF Station, Tangmere.

(Some we have been able to identify) L-R: On propeller; James Roy Cullen NZ/416462 died 14th June 1970 age 51, Frank Murphy NZ/411928, WJ Swinton.
On wing; John Robert Powell NZ/413889 killed 08th October 1944, NW Faircloth, Roderick Herbert Fitzgibbon NZ/411874 killed 06th September 1943, Robert James Dall NZ/41535 killed 04th July 1945, JA Frogatt, David Gowan Fail NZ/412665, K McCarthy, Jones, Norman Edward Preston NZ/41937 killed 16th September 1943 (leaning forward), LJ Appleton, Raymond Jack Danzey NZ/416464 died 09th November 1998, CN Gall, N Parkes (armourer).
Standing; Arthur Norman Sames NZ/411453 died 12th December 1980, Murray Osborne Jorgensen NZ/413086 killed 16th September 1943, Fl/Lt. HN Thomas (Intelligence Officer), Wallis Berkley Tyerman NZ/412008 killed 10th November 1943, Group Captain WJ Crisham, Desmond James Scott NZ/40779 died 08th October 1997, Ian Dousland Waddy NZ/402915 died 16th September 1998, Arthur Henry Smith NZ/416548, John Gordon Wilson NZ/417300 killed ied 25th July 1943, George Seward NZ/4211784, Thomson.

(1) HMT Awatea As she was leaving North Africa on the 11th November 1942, an unknown number of aircraft from Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 77 attacked her. They bombed and strafed her, but her crew returned fire. Two torpedoes hit her port side, and a bomb hit her deck but did not explode. But the torpedoes started a fire, which reached and detonated the unexploded bomb. Several near-misses blasted apart most of her first-class accommodation. At this point, the crew abandoned the ship, which was later sunk by the same aircraft. The admiral of her fleet said 'she fought the battle of a battleship' as a tribute to her

Researched for relatives of the pilot. With thanks to the following for further information supplied, also to our Jenifer Lemaire from New Zealand for the pilot photograph and the Auckland Image Collection.

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 December 2021, 22:24

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