Auckland Museum Transcription Projects

HD/NF 12848 Vol. 8 NA-PY

4211613: Pilot Officer Murray Adamson NAGEL. M.I.D. PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Nagel of Wanganui.

Murray Nagel was born on the 20th April, 1924, at Wanganui, and received his secondary education at Wanganui Technical College, where he gained this Public Service Entrance examination. The sports in which he was actively interested included rugby football, cricket and american basketball. He was a member of his school's 1st XV and 1st XI. At the time of his making application for aircrew training - on the 18th May, 1942 - he was employed in a clerical position in the Engineer's Dept. of the New Zealand Railways at Wanganui.

Pilot Officer Nagel was enlisted on the 19th September, 1942, at Levin, in the Air Training Corps, and was posted on the 27th October to Rotorua. He commenced his initial training as a pilot at Rotorua on the 26th November, and proceeded to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, Ashburton, on the 3rd January, 1943. On the 3rd March, 1943, he was posted to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, where - on the 12th July, 1943 - he was awarded the flying badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 18th March, 1944, and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 1st April, 1944. On the 12th July, 1943, he proceeded to No. 1 Operational Training Unit, Ohakea, where he completed his training on Kittyhawk and Harvard aircraft.

P/O Nagel was posted on the 6th August, 1943, to No. 18 (Fighter) Squadron, Woodbourne, and moved with the Squadron on September 2nd to Whenuapai, and again by Dakota aircraft to Espiritu Santo on the 17th September. Operating with No. 18 Squadron from Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, Munda and Ondonga, he took part as a pilot of Warhawk aircraft, in numerous operational flights, completing his first operational tour. The duties

M. A. NAGEL.

2.

included patrols, escort bombing and straffing enemy positions. On the 26th November he returned in a Dakota aircraft to Guadalcanal, and thence, on the 29th to Espiritu Santo, and New Zealand.

P/O Nagel arrived at Whenuapai on the 20th November, and, on the completion of his leave he proceeded to No. 18 (Fighter) Squadron, at Ardmore, on the 28th December. He flew a Warhawk aircraft from Waipapakauri to Guadalcanal, landing at Norfolk Island, Tontouta and Santos en route, arriving at Guadalcanal on the 20th January, 1944. On the 25th January he was flown in a Dakota aircraft to Torokina.

P/O Nagel completed his second tour with No. 18 (F) Squadron, Torokina, from which base, he carried out numerout further operational flights, the duties including patrols, escort, interception and bombing Rabaul and Japanese installations. On the 13th March, 1944, he was a passenger on a Hudson aircraft which flew him back to Norfolk Island. He flew a Warhawk aircraft on the 18th March to Waipapakauri and thence to Mangere. On the completion of his disembarkation leave he joined No. 18 (F) Squadron at Ardmore. He embarked again on a Dakota aircraft and was flown on the 9th May to Santos via Norfolk.

P/O Nagel, on arrival at Santos, flew for a short time Corsair (Fighter) aircraft for familiarisation before again moving to the forward area with No. 18 (F) Squadron, Torokina, on June 4th. From this base he took part in numerous further operational flights, entailing similar duties as the first two tours. On July 11th he was piloting a Corsair (F) aircraft on a patrol in the Rabaul area and which failed to return to its base. In consquence P/O Nagel was reported missing. This was his 105th operational flight. He was one of four detailed for a dawn patrol and became separated from the others in inclement weather about 10 miles off Cape St. George. His death was officially presumed to have occured as at 11th July, 1944. He was mentioned in dispatches in January, 1945.

5/2/17306 AS2 716 hrs. as pilot.

Mr. H.C. Nagel (F) Fox Rd., WANGANUI.

NZ42117 Pilot Officer Colin George NAIRNE. Widow Mrs. R.O. Nairne, R.M.D., Richmond, Nelson. Parents Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Nairne, Kaiwarra, Wellington.

Colin Nairne was born at Palmerston North on the 8th April 1922, and received his secondary education at the Taihape Dis-trict High School. While at school he played Rugby, football for the First Fifteen, and also took part in cricket and swimming. Prior to joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force, he was employed on the Studholme Estate, Hihitabi, farming and tractor driving.

Pilot Officer Nairne made application for aircrew trainnig in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, on the 26th December 1940, and was enlisted at Blenheim on the 12th January 1942, where he was employed on ground duties until proceeding to the Initial Training Wing, Rotours for aircrew training on 3rd September.

On completion of his intial training he was poster to No 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood, on the 15th October, and on the 29th December to No 1 Service Flying Training School, Wigram, where on the 15th March 1943 he was awarded the flying badge and promoted to Sergeant, on the 6th May. He embarked for the United Kingdom via Canada on the 20th May 1943.

On arrival in England on the 8th July 1943, Pilot Officer Nairne was posted to No 12 Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton, and proceeded to No 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Dell-achy, Scotland on the 3rd August. Here he trained until mid November, when he was posted to No 11 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force, Oakley for operational training on Wellington bomber aircraft. On the 3rd March 1944 he was posted to No 1657 Conversion Unit, Stradis-hall, Suffolk, where he trained on Stirling aircraft, until proceed-ing on the 29th May to No 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, Nepal, Cambridge, from which base he carried out 20 operational flights. The targets on these raids included Calais, Lisieux, Dreux, Nantes, Le Harve, Valen-ciennes, Montdidier, Villiersbocage, Watten, and Vaires (4) Bois Desjardines andd Cagny in France, and Homburg (2), Keil, and Stuttgart in Germany.

432723 Pilot Officer Clement Walter NASH. Widow: Mrs. L.R. Nash of NAPIER. Parents: Rt.Hon. Walter and Mrs. Nash of LOWER HUTT

Walter Nash was born at Birmingham, England, on the 10th June 1907 and accompanied his parents to New Zealand at an early age. He received his secondary education at the New Plymouth Boys' High School, and Wellington College, passing the matriculation examination. While studying for his Legal Degree at Victoria University College, he was employed with a number of legal firms in Wellington. In 1929 he passed the L.L.M. Degree with first class Honours and also gained the B.A. degree. After obtaining his degree he entered into practice at Napier, and was still engaged there in his profession at the time of applying for a commission in the Royal New Zealand Air Force on the 11th September 1942. He served with the Napier Battalion of the Home Guard after its formation there.

Pilot Officer Nash was enlisted at Levin on the 10th March 1943 and employed in clerical duties at Air Headquarters, Levin, and Gisborne, until granted a Commission in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch and posted to Omaka on the 10th September for an officers' training course.

Pilot Officer Nash died of sickness at the Wairau Hospital on the 29th September 1943 and was buried in the Parke Island Cemetery, Napier.

5/5/635 A.S.2

Mrs.L.R. Nash (W), 35 Thompson Road, NAPIER.

J. H. NAYLOR

2.

Flying Officer Naylor arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 30th July, 1942, and was posted on the 16th August to No. 10 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, Dumfries, Scotland, and proceeded on the 1st September to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott, Buckinghamshire, where he crewed up and completed his training as a bomb aimer on Wellington bomber aircraft. On the 15th December he was posted to No. 1658 Conversion Unit, Riccall, Yorkshire, where he converted to Halifax aircraft, befor posting on the 1st February, 1943, to No. 10 Squadron, Melbourne, Yorkshire. With this squadron, as bomb aimer on Halifax aircraft, he took part in 4 operational flights, the targets including Lorient (2), in France, and Essen and Nurnberg, in Germany. On the 22nd March he was posted to No. 35 Squadron, Graveley, Huntingtonshire, and as a bomb aimer on Halifax aircraft, he took part in an air/sea rescue search.

On the 27th March, 1943, F/O Naylor was the bomb aimer of a Halifax aircraft which took off on an operational flight and failed to return to its base/. All the members of the crew, including F/O Naylor, were reported missing. Information received from the International Red Cross Committee revealed that F/O Naylor had lost his life. In consequence he was reclassified to missing, believed killed in action. Additional information received through the International Red Cross Committee stated that he was buried in the District Cemetery, Wesermunde, Geestemunde, Germany. In due course his death was officially presumed to have occurred on the 27th March, 1943.

5/2/4490 288 hrs. as bomb aimer.

Mr. L.G. Naylor (F) 874 George Street, DUNEDIN.

Scotland, afterwards proceeding on the 24th August to No 15 Operatio-nal Training Unit, Harwell, Berkshire, where he trained on Wellington bomber aircraft. Early in January 1944, he converted to Halifax air-craft at No 1663 Conversion Unit, Rufforth, Yorkshire, and then pro-ceeded to No 301 Perry Training Unit, Lyneham, Wiltshire, for embark-ation oversea. On the 21st February as Navigator of a Halifax air-craft he flew to Rabat Sale in Algeria, and on the 8th March to Blida, where he was posted to No 624 Squadron. From this base as Navigator of Halifax aircraft he took part in thirty three operational flights mainly supply dropping to the South of France, and including one trip to Italy from Maison Blanche.

Flying Officer Neale was the Navigator of a Halifax aircraft engaged on a supply dropping operation to the south of France on the night of the 13/14th August 1944. The aircraft failed to return to its base and all the crew including Flying Officer Neale were classified as missing. In due course his death was officially presumed to have occurred on the 14th August 1944.

A post war casualty search revealed that an uniden-tified aircraft was seen to explode and dive into the sea between Palamos and Cape Efos, but no trace was found of either the aircraft or any of the crew, and it is assumed that Flying Officer Neale lost his life at sea.

5/2/14106 AS2. 523 Hours as Navigator.

Mrs. G.G. Neale. (W) 13 Marau Crescent, MISSION BAY, AUCKLAND.

4210020: Sgt. William Reece NEAVE. PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. A. G. Neave.

William Reece Neave was born at Christchurch on 10th October, 1924. He was educdated at North Linwood School and Christchurch Technical College. Rugby, Tennis and Swimming comprised the greater part of his sporting activities. On the 18th January, 1942, he applied for enlistment in aircrew and was instructed to report to the Air Defence Unit at Seagrove on 16th August, 1942.

After having been employed on ground duties for six months, he commenced his initial training at Rotorua in May 1943. He completed the first stages of training at the Initial Training Wing and proceeded to No. 1 Operational Training Unit on 13th December where he qualified as an Air Gunner, being promoted to Sergeant and being awarded the Air Gunner's Badge the same day. William Neave commenced duty as a member of the crew of a Ventura with No. 9 Bomber Squadron on 16th December, 1943 undergoing extensive operational training preparation prior to proceeding overseas with the squadron.

He proceeded to Espiritu Santo in February and to Bougainville in May 1944, participating in patrols and sweeps over Rabaul. On the 14th June, 1944 whilst on an operational patrol, the aircraft crashed into the sea near Treasury Island and all members of the crew, including William Reece Neave were killed.

The other members were:- P/O Reginald Harold MATHER, P/O Jack Thomas BATTYE, W/O Ivan Roy LORENSON, SGT. Henry Owen MOSEN.

5/2/16651

Mr. A. G. Neave (F) 157 Woodham Road, CHRISTCHURCH.

NZ40422 Flight Lieutenant Eric Kingsley NECKLEN. Parents: Mr. & Mrs. C. Necklen of Frankton Junction.

Eric Necklen was born at Wanganui on the 17th January, 1920. His secondary education ws received at Te Kuiti District High School. The games he played were cricket and football. Joining the Territorial Forces in 1939 he served for two years in the 16th Waikato Regiment. His civilian occupation was that of a grocers' assistant with the Farmers' Trading Co., Hamilton. In December, 1939 he applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Flight Lieutenant Necklen was enlisted on the 26th January, 1940 at R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Levin where he was employed on ground duties while awaiting training for aircrew. He was posted on the 23rd February to R.N.Z.A.F. Station Ohakea, where he was similarly employed. On the 30th November, 1941 he was remustered as a pilot under training and posted to the Initial Training Wing, Levin.

His flying training started on the 12th January, 1942 when he was posted to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenuapai. On the 8th March he embarked for Canada to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after his arrival in Canada Flight Lieutenant Necklen was posted on the 14th May to No. 9 Service Flying Training School, Summerside, Prince Edward Island. Following this he was posted on the 7th July to No. 8 Service Flying Training School, Moncton, New Brunswich, and while here on the 14th August he was awarded his flying badge and promoted to Sergeant but this was by his being commissioned a pilot officer with effect from the same date. On the 14th February, 1943 he was promoted to Flying Officer and on the 14th August, 1944 to Flight Lieutenant. Meanwhile, on the 19th September, 1942 he had been posted to No. 1 Flying Instructors' School, Trenton, Ontario. After completing this course he was posted on the 24th October, to No. 31 Service Training Flying School, Kingston, Ontario, for

duty as an instructor. He remained at Kingston until the 15th July, 1943 when he was posted to No. 1 Operational Training Unit, Bagotville, Quebec. On the 20th October, 1943 he proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, to await embarkation for the United Kingdom.

Having arrived in England on the 10th November, Flight Lieutenant Necklen was held at No. 12 Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton, until posted on the 28th December to No. 59 Operational Training Unit, Milfield, Northumberland, where he trained on Hurricane fighter aircraft. This was followed by his posting on the 21st January, 1944 to No. 57 Operational Training Unit, Eshott, Northumberland, to train on Spitfire fighter aircraft. He was next posted on the 2nd May to No. 3 Tactical Exercise Unit, first at Annan, Dunfriesshire, Scotland, and later at Honiley, Warwickshire, and following this on the 4th July for a short course with No. 84 Group Support Unit, Aston Down, Gloucestershire. On the 9th July he was posted to No. 197 Squadron then at Hurn, Hampshire, and later operating from airfields in France and Belgium in the wake of the invasion forces. With this Squadron as pilot of a Typhoon fighter he engaged in seventy one operational flights mostly low level attacks on enemy objectives, but including seven armed reconnaissance flights, three fighter sweeps, one leaflet raid, one offensive patrol, one shipping strike and one flight affording close support to ground forces.

On the 21st November, 1944 Flight Lieutenant Necklen was pilot of a Typhoon fighter returning from attacking a target in the Amersfoot area, Holland which collided with another aircraft in cloud and crashed, Flight Lieutenant Necklen losing his life. He was buried with Service Honours on the 24th November in the Schooselhof Cemetery, Antwerp, Belgium.

4/2/2858 AS2 1053 hours as pilot.

Mr. C. Necklen (F), 53 Norton Road, FRANKTON JUNCTION.

42336. Flight Sergeant Kenneth McGregor, NEILSON. Parents: Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Neilson of ROTORUA.

Kenneth Neilson was born at Whakatane on the 8th September, 1920 ans received his secondary education at the Rotorua High School. The sports in which he was actively interested, included football and swimming. His civilian occupation was that of coachbuilding and was so employed by Mr. S.M.Kingsland of Rotorua, when on the 7th November, 1940 he made application for training for Aircrew in the R.N.Z.A.F.

Flight Sergeant Neilson was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 25th of January, 1942 and on the completion of the initial course he embarked on the 2nd March, 1942 for Canada to continue his training under the EMPIRE AIR TRAINING SCHEME.

Flight Sergeant Neilson arrived at No.2."M" Depot, Brandon, Manitoba, on the 5th April, 1942 and proceeded one week later to No.3. Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba. On the conclusion of the course at this latter station he was posted on the 24th October, to No.5. Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe, Saskatechewan, where on the 23rd November, 1942 he was awarded the Wireless Operator Air Gunners' Badge, and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st June,1943. Meanwhile on the 5th December, 1942 he had proceeded to No.1. 'Y' Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia to await embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Flight Sergeant Neilson arrived at No.3. Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 19th December, 1942 and proceeded on the 5th February, 1943 to No.2. (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, Millom, Cumberland, and thence on the 6th April, to No.11. Operational Training Unit. Oakley, Buckinghamshire. At this latter station he crewed up and completed his training on Wellington bomber Aircraft and on the 17th June, he was posted to No.1657. conversion Unit, Stradishall, Suffolk where he converted to Sterling Bomber Aircraft. On the conclusion of this course he proceeded to No.620 Squadron, Chedburgh, Suffolk, and with this Squadron as the Wireless Operator of Stirling bomber aircraft he participated in 7 Operational flights including attacks on the following targets, Boulogne, Montlucon, and Modane in France, Hanover in