RNZAF Biographies of Deceased Personnel: 1939 - 1945, Ha - Hy

12848 HA-NY Vol 5 402181. Leading Aircraftsman Kennard James HAASE (surname underlined) Mother: Mrs. H. Haase of Nelson.

James Haase was born at Nelson on the 1st December 1918, and received his secondary education at Nelson College, being awarded the School Certificate. He played rugby and hockey, also taking part in athletics and wrestling. He was a sheet metal worker by trade, and when applying for enrolment in the Civil Reserve of pilots on the 23rd August 1939 was in the employ of R. McArtney Estate of Nelson. Owing to the outbreak of war his application was accepted for war service.

Leading Aircraftsman Haase was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 27th July 1940 and posted to Harewood on the 25th August for his elementary flying training. After completing the course, he was posted early in October to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, Blenheim, where he was awarded the flying badge.

Leading Aircraftsman Haase was the pilot of a Vincent aircraft which crashed into the Manawatu River south of Foxton on the 9th January 1940, Leading Aircraftsman Haase losing his life. He was buried in the Nelson Cemetery.

5/3/2354 A.S.2 No Log Book.

Mrs. H. Haase (M), (right aligned) 103 Kawai Street, (right aligned) NELSON (right aligned & underlined)

41325 Pilot Officer Frederick Charles Hackett (surname underlined) Parents: Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Hackett of Auckland (Auckland underlined)

Frederick Hackett was born at Sandown, Isle of Wight, England on the 15th May 1913, and at an early age he accompanied his parents to New Zealand. He received his secondary education at Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland, and he later furthered his studies with commercial schools until he had passed the Accountancy Professional examination. His sports were cricket and tennis. He was employed in a clerical capacity by John Court Ltd., of Auckland when in February, 1940 he applied for war service in the R.N.Z.A.F.

Pilot Officer Hackett was enlisted in aircrew on the 19th January, 1941 at the Initial Training Wing Levin, and was posted on the 2nd March to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenuapai, for his elementary flying training. On the 26th he embarked for Canada for training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, Pilot Officer Hackett was posted on the 16th June 1941 to No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Dauphin, Manitoba, where on the 1st September, 1941 he was awarded his flying badge and promoted to sergeant although this was superseded by his being commissioned in the rank of pilot officer with effect from the same date. On the 7th September he proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, to await embarkation for the United Kingdom.

Pilot Officer Hackett arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 29th September 1941 and was posted on the 14th October, to No. 41 Operational Training Unit, Old Sarum, Wiltshire.

-2- (centre aligned)

On the 12th November, 1940 Pilot Offier Hackett was detailed to carry out a flight in a Lysander training aircraft. The Lysander coming in to land, swerved to the left and straightened out. The pilot opened up the engine and carried out a climbing turn to port. The aircraft struck some rifle butts and crashed. Pilot Officer Hackett being killed. He was buried in the Devizes Road Cemetery, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

5/3/10639 A.S.2. 177 hours as pilot.

Mr. A.G. Hackett (F) (right aligned) Prospect Road, (right aligned) Glen Eden (right aligned) Auckland. (right aligned)

404867: FLYING OFFICER FRANCIS SEYMOUR HADEN. Mother: Mrs. J.L. HADEN of AUCKLAND. Wife: LADY J.M. WARD of CHRISTCHURCH (re-married).

Frances Haden was born at Eltham on the 18th October, 1914, and received his secondary education at Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland, where he passed the matriculation examination. He was later a student at Auckland University College, where he studied commerical subjects passing in nine of the subjects for the Bachelor of Commerce degree. His sports were cricket, football, boxing, tennis and swimming. While at the University he played cricket in the First Eleven. He was employed as an accountant with the Johnson Cardboard Box Co. Ltd., of Auckland. On the 1st December, 1939 he applied for war service in the R.N.Z.A.F.

Flying Officer Haden was enlisted for aircrew training on the 1st December, 1940 at the Ground Training School, Levin, and was posted on the 11th January, 1941 to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood, where he commenced his flying training. He proceeded on the 22nd March, 1941 to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, where on the 5th May, 1941 he was awarded his Flying Badge. On the 14th June, 1941 he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer and on the 14th June, 1942 he was promoted to Flying Officer. Meanwhile, on the 22nd July, 1941 he had embarked in order to proceed to the United Kingdom.

Early in September, 1941 Flying Officer Haden arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth and after a brief attachment at R.A.F. station Abington, Berkshire he was posted on the 24th September, to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire, where he completed his training on Wellington bomber aircraft. At the conclusion of his course on the 24th March, 1942, Flying Officer Haden was retained to No. 11 Operational Training Unit as a staff pilot.

Flying Officer Haden was a member of the crew of a Wellington

bomber which crashed near the aerodrome at Wescott, Buckinghamshire. (redacted at approximately 11.30 a.m.) on the 17th November, 1942, Flying Officer Haden lost his life. He was buried with service honours on the 23rd November, in the churchyard of the parish church at Westcott, Buckinghamshire.

5/2/2119 AS2 602 hours as PILOT (underlined)

Mrs. J.L. Haden (M) (right aligned) 44 Kitchener Road (right aligned) AUCKLAND (right aligned & underlined)