Unit No: 174 Squadron

Pilot: Flt Lt. James Himiona Wetere DFC 404975 RNZAF

DFC Citation:

'Flying Officer Wetere has completed his second tour of operations including attacks on enemy airfields, military installations and shipping. He has also taken part in armed reconnaissances and has inflicted considerable damage on enemy rolling stock and motor vehicles. By his fine fighting spirit and determination he has set an inspiring example to the other members of his squadron'.

Flt Lt. James Himiona Wetere flew 38 sorties with 174 Sqn (Typhoon) and then at least 48 with 184 Sqn and finished his military career with the rank of Flight Lieutenant on the 16th August 1973.

He passed away on the 19th September 1983 age just 55.

Above: 174 Scramble at Gravesend, June 1943. Left to right: Fg Off. A. Black (Malaya), Fg Off. Thomas (Canada), Fg Off. Mallet, Sgt. Burton (Canada), Fg Off. Bridges (British Guiana), Fg Off. A.C. Dunning (Canada), WO. Wetere(New Zealand)

Fg Off. Allan R. Black (Malaya);

Fg Off. A.R. Black: injured; Hurricane IIB BE693, 174 Squadron;
Lt. J.P. Goodson (USAAF): uninjured; Thunderbolt P-47C #41-6188, 8th American Fighter Command, collision on runway, RAF Odiham, Hampshire, 30th December 1942.
No further information found.

Fg Off. George Alfred Murray Thomas RCAF;

Posted overseas. Notified in the 174 Sqn ORB 7th July 1943.
Survived the war

Fg Off. George Ian Mallet 119337 RAFVR.

No further information found

Sgt. William Donald Burton R103267 RCAF.

Appointed to a commission and promoted to J18959 Plt Off.
Awarded the DFC whilst with 439 Sqn, RCAF (London Gazette 29th December 1944).
Retired from the RCAF on the 13th September 1945.

Fg Off. George Moncrieff Bridges 66494 RAFVR (British Guiana).

Pranged his Typhoon – Collapsed undercarriage 25th April 1943 – Uninjured;
Survived the war

Fg Off. Avery Charles Dunning J10158 RCAF.

WO. James Himiona Wetere RNZAF

Above: 174 Squadron Gravesend June 1943: WO. Wetere, Fg Off. Thomas, Sgt. Mitchell, Sgt. Boucher, WO. Vatcher, Flt Sgt. O'Callaghan, Flt Lt. Sterne DFC, Wg Cdr. Wilkinson DSO. DFM and Bar, Fg Off. Black, Flt Lt. Minall, Fg Off. Bridges, Sgt. Burton, Fg Off. Montgomery.

WO. James Himiona Wetere 404975 RNZAF

Fg Off. George Alfred Murray Thomas RCAF (See Above).

Sgt. Thomas ‘Tommy’ Mitchell RCAF;

Promoted to WO2. 174 Sqn ORB with effect 27th February 1943;
No further information found

Sgt. Ernest George Boucher 1332744 RAF

Crashed on take-off on the 8th March 1942 in Hurricane XP:Y - Unhurt;
Flt Sgt. Ernest George Boucher 1332744 RAF. 5th October 1943, Typhoon JP547 XP:?, Gycol leak due to Flak, force landed near Montreuil – Evader;
WO. Boucher was appointed to a commission and promoted to 174408 Plt Off. with effect 5th March 1944 (London Gazette 16th May 1944);
Plt Off. Ernest George Boucher 174408 RAF. 5th August 1944,Typhoon JP500, XP:V. Hit by Flak and baled out NE of Conden – Died of his injuries

WO. Walter Cyril Vatcher MiD, 798550 RAFVR.

Flt Sgt. C.D. O’Callaghan MiD RCAF

Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) notified in ORB on the 6th February 1943;
Appointed to a commission notified in the ORB 13th March 1943;
On a Ramrod in the AM of the 19th August 1943 the engine of his Typhoon IB JP550 cut. Baled out 8 mls off Le Touquet and was in his dinghy or 6½ hrs before being picked up by a Walrus of Air Sea Rescue;
No further information found

Flt Lt. John ‘Johnnie’ Rutherford Sterne DFC, J5831 RCAF.

Wg Cdr. Royce Clifford Wilkinson OBE(M), DFM and Bar, RAF.

As a Sgt. with 3 Sqn he awarded the DFM. Citation reads: "564450 Sergeant Royce Clifford WILKINSON. This airman pilot has shot down five enemy aircraft and has displayed a very fine offensive spirit, coupled with a sense of resolute leadership". (London Gazette 31st May 1940);
Awarded the Bar to his DFM whilst with 3 Sqn. Citation reads: "564450 Sergeant Royce Clifford WILKINSON, D.F.M. This airman pilot has led his flight on several occasions and once led the whole squadron on an offensive patrol, during which they not only brought down a number of enemy aircraft but returned without loss. He also led an attack on an enemy motor transport column, blowing up an ammunition lorry and setting two petrol tankers on fire, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire. He has recently shot down four enemy aircraft bringing his total to nine, and has at all times displayed courage and good leadership". (London Gazette 31st May 1940);
Appointed to a commission and promoted to 44125 Plt Off. (London Gazette 30th July 1940);
Appointment to the OBE(M) (London Gazette 6th October 1942);
On the 6th January 1959 he relinquished his commission and retained the rank of Wg Cdr.

Fg Off. Allan R. Black (See Above).

Flt Lt. Stanford ‘Stan’ Ward Minall J15361 RCAF.

Survived the war

Fg Off. George Moncrieff Bridges 66494 RAFVR (See Above).

Sgt. William Donald Burton R103267 RCAF (See Above).

Fg Off. William Donald Craig Montgomery DFC, J25972 RCAF.

Awarded the DFC whilst with 174 Sqn. Citation reads: "This officer has led his flight with great skill and resolution in many attacks on a variety of targets, including airfields, construction works and gun positions. He has displayed the greatest determination in pressing home his attacks and his gallant example has been most inspiring". (London Gazette 7th November 1944);
No further information found

Burial details:

Flt Lt. James Himiona Wetere DFC. Hamilton Park Cemetery. Born 16th August 1918 at Waikato, North Island, New Zealand.

Above: James Himiona Wetere DFC Marker grave, courtesy Robyn Heyne

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Julian Proddow for photographs. Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand (Mar 2021). Aircrew information added by Aircrew Remembered (Oct 2024).

Other sources listed below:

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