xmlns:og="http://ogp.me/ns#" xmlns:fb="http://www.facebook.com/2008/fbml" So, the full HTML tag on my site is:

Old Boys at WW2

The list below is of Old Boys known to have seen service overseas in WWII. The list may be incomplete and we would welcome further information.

WWII

Royal New Zealand Navy

When Britain went to war against Germany in 1939, New Zealand immediately also declared war. In 1941 the naval force was largely self-sufficient and independent of the Royal Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) was created. Ships were prefixed with HMNZS (His/Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ship).

The light cruiser HMS Achilles participated in the first major naval battle of World War II, the Battle of the River Plate off the River Plate estuary between Argentina and Uruguay, in December 1939.

Achilles’ sister ship, HMS Leander, escorted the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to the Middle East in 1940, and was then deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean, where she was subjected to air and naval attack from Axis forces, conducted bombardments and escorted convoys, and sank the Italian auxiliary cruiser Ramb I. After serving in the Mediterranean, she returned to the Pacific in 1943, assisting in the destruction of the Japanese cruiser Jintsu and being seriously damaged by torpedoes during the Battle of Kolombangara.

There was a plan in 1941 for HMS Neptune to become New Zealand’s third light cruiser. To that end, it was partially crewed with New Zealanders. On 19 December, New Zealand’s worst naval loss occurred when 150 of the New Zealand crew died after the ship hit mines and sank off the coast of Libya.

As the war progressed, the size of the RNZN greatly increased, and by the end of the war there were over 60 ships in commission. It was decided in an agreement between the New Zealand and United States government that the best role for the RNZN in the Pacific was as part of the United States Navy, so operational control of the RNZN was transferred to the South West Pacific Area command, and its ships joined United States 7th Fleet taskforces.

In 1943, the light cruiser HMS Gambia was transferred to the RNZN as HMNZS Gambia. In November 1944, the British Pacific Fleet (BPF), a joint British Commonwealth taskforce, was formed, based in Sydney, Australia. Most RNZN ships were transferred to the BPF, including Gambia and Achilles. They took part in the Battle of Okinawa and operations in the Sakishima Islands, near Japan. In August 1945, Gambia was New Zealand’s representative at Japan’s surrender.

Navy Adams, Arthur Harold. Hook, R. H. McDonald, C. R.
Armitage, G. Jones, A. M. McGregor, G. \V.
Berwick, F. J. Keen, A. C. McKenzie, G. B.
 DCM

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Bowie, R. ]. Kennedy, W. S.(Bill) was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry when fighting the Japanese in the Solomon Islands McKenzie, H. B.
 Achilles

HMNZS Achilles

Boult, J. P. First old boy to see action. Served on Achilles during the battle of the River Plate Little, L. R. Pritchard, A. R.
 Cross of valourPolish ‘Cross of Valour’ Brown, T. C. Merchant Navy – able Seaman. Received the Polish ‘Cross of Valour’  for gallantry during bomber attacks on a convoy. Loasby, L. P. Rennie, A. J.
Callon, E. R. Logie, F. Robinson, C. W.
Campbell, L. M. Lyon, G. C. Salmon, W. J.
Currie, J. E. Malcolm, R. W. A. Spiers, L. W.
Dowland, E. H. Matthews, A. G. Sutherland, D. L.
Dowland, R. K. Maxted, E. K. Thomson, H. S.
Duffy, A. L. Milson, R. S. Weaver, J. M.
Gilchrist, A. J. Mitchell, K. D. White, M. H.
Hitchcock, R. D. McCracken, M. R.
The New Zealand Army

New Zealanders fought globally, from Egypt, Italy and Greece to Japan and the Pacific. In total, around 140,000 New Zealand personnel served overseas for the Allied war effort, and an additional 100,000 men were armed for Home Guard duty.

ARMY.
 War MedalThe War Medal 1939-1945 Aitken, K. T. Klee, R. L. Purvis, R. B.
Anderson, J. W. Served in Greek campaign Langford, J. C. Ross, A. T. G.
Barrie, E. G. Lucas, \V. G. Rough, A. C.
Brent, G. S. Luke, D. T. M. Russell, D. H. B.
Brown, R. J. Melser, J. D. F. Sapsford, D. R.
Buchanan, R. W. Miles, N. T. Scott, G. W. R.
Cate, W. L. Morris, J. R. M. Scott, W. J.
Chetwin, A. H. Myles, A. M. Smithson, J. M.
Clark, W. A. S.Served in Italy Myles, M. H. Stratton, W. B. M.
 Italy star

The Italy Star

Coburn, A. L. McCash, S. Thomson, A. W.Wounded at Cassino, Italy. Returned to hospital in NZ to recover
Cowan, J. B. McFaull, J. P. Thompson, R. R.
Deuchrass, A. McGregor, E. R. Trott, S. E. L.
Dickie, R. A. McGregor, J. B. Walker, I. A.
Duffy, A. E. Mclvor, J. K. Wallace, T. D.
Pastier, A. M. McKellar, A. D. Ward, W. D.Served in Egypt before moving on to the Italian campaign.
Gibbs, W. H. McLean, F. K. Watson, G. H.Served in Egypt
Gibson, A. W.Served in Niue Island Newall, W. B. Waugh, W. A. H.
Grindley, E. C. O’Hara, C. C. White, R. R.
Hewitt, R. H. Parker, G. S. Williams, G. S.
Jarratt, H. H. Parker, G. T. Wilson, A. B.
Johnston, J. A. Perry, J. A.Served in Italy Wilson, I.Served in Italy
 Pacific star

The Pacific Star

Judson, A. R.Served as a field gunner in the Pacific and spent time in New Caledonia. Pickering, R. Wright, A. N.
King, E. H. Pollard, I. G.
AIR FORCE. Adams, C. M. Broadbent, E. M. Davidson, W. L.
Anderson, C. G. Brown, T. M. Dickson, A. 0.
Anderson, I. S. Burnett, C. A. Frew, K. D.
Annand, E. A. Butterworth, H. S. Gale, W.
Armstrong, J. S. Calvert, P. F. Geary, T. F. C.
Bagley, S. H. Carson, A. L. Grigg, G. H.
Barclay, E. L. Carson, W. A. Highet, G. R. B.Awarded D.F.C.Shot down 5 Japanese Zero aircraft
Bardsley, M. E. Claridge, H. K. Holmes, F. W.Served in the South West Pacific dive bombing Japanese positions. He later flew fighter aircraft.
Barron, T. D. Clark, J. H. Tngs, W. M.
Bennie, L. M. Cox, J. N. Johnson, L. A.
Brighting, J. A. Cunningham, A. Kempthorne, J. V.
Kennedy, W. S.
Kibblewhite, E. W. McGimpsey, G. F. Smith, 0.
Langford, A. R. Mclndoe, J. A. Titchener, G.
Lust, N. H. McKay, R. M. Tombs, E. A.
  DFC2

Distinguished Flying Cross

Macilree, J. J. Nicolson, J. M. Trott, W. A. L.Awarded the D.F.C. for galantry
Martin, L. P. North, H. S. Umbers, D. T.
Mercier, J. D.Awarded the D.F.C. for gallantry. Ombler, R. W. Valentine, J. A.Pilot Officer RNZAF. 1943 reported as a prisoner of war in Java after being missing for 2 years. He was in the fighting at Singapore, Java and Sumatra.
Miller, C. R.Served in the Middle East Park, G. A.Flight Lieutenant RNZAF. – flying Ventura and Mosquito aircraft in England with RAF.Highest ranking Air Force office from Old Boys Voysey, K.
 medal-mid-oak-leafMentioned in dispatches commendation Mills, A. S.Flying Corsair fighter aircraft at Bougainville. First ATC Cadet (and possibly the youngest at age 19) to down a Japanese Zero aircraft.Awarded the M.I.D. commendation for Galantry Paul, C. R. White, A. V.
Mitchell, A. N. Pritchard, R. R. White, L. K.
Murdoch, I. A.Flight Sergeant – RNZAF. He is a fighter pilot who was injured landing while fighting Japanese in the Solomon Islands. Purvis, C. R. Whitworth, E.
Murray, J. A. Roberts, L. R. Williamson, W. A.
McCready, J. M. Robertson, J. M. Wix, E. R.
McDonald, T. D. I. Rogers, J. A. Wood. A. H.
Slade, R. A.

 

 

This site has been supported by the Eastern Dunedin Charity Club