Operation: Strafing and bombing

Date: 14th September 1944 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 21 Squadron RNZAF

Type: F4U-I Corsair

Serial: NZ5236

Code: Q

Base: Torokina, Solomon Islads

Location: Henryk Reid Bay area, New Britain. (Homhovulu Harbour)

Pilot: P/O. William Hoare Wilson NZ/43903 RNZAF Age 21. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Understood to have been hit by anti-aircraft fire whilst diving at 200 ft on suspected Japanese Bivouac.

Crashed into the sea at 08:25 hrs. The body of the pilot was not recovered.

Burial and personal details:

P/O. William Hoare Wilson. Bourail Memorial. Panel 5. Born on the 27th February 1923 at Lower Hutt. A teacher with Wellington Education Board prior to service. Served in the territorial army. Enlisted on the 09th January 1943 as a meteorologist at Levin. Re-mustered as a pilot under training on the 23rd July 1943. Initial training with No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School commencing 18th September 1943 then to No. 2 Flying Training School joining on 15th November 1943.

Pilots badge awarded in January 1944 and promoted to sergeant on the 18th March 1944. Further training with 2 Operational Training Unit on 15th April 1944. Joined 21 squadron arriving in the Pacific on the 26th May 1944. Awarded his commission on the 01st June 1944.

Son of William Wilson and of Kathleen, Emma Wilson (née Hoare), of Levin, Wellington, New Zealand. A total of 408 flying hours logged.

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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