Obituaries
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New Zealand has lost one of its World War II flying aces, Flight Lieutenant Peter Francis Locker Hall, who has died in England aged 88.
The former teacher was credited with shooting down eight German aircraft while based in Britain as a pilot with the Royal New Zealand Air Force's 488 squadron of Mosquito fighter planes.
After returning from a mission over Europe on one engine in an aircraft damaged by flying debris, Flight Lieutenant Hall (left) and his British navigator were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. A bar was later added in his case.
Born in Opotiki, Mr Hall caught the flying bug as a boy, when his clergyman father shelled out 10 shillings ($1) for him to go on a flight in 1928 with pioneering Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith.
"When Kingsford Smith came over to Gisborne, they landed on the beach and I think he paid 10 shillings for a joy flight so he was hooked on flying, and that's how he got into the Air Force," his nephew, Richard Hall, said from Brisbane last night.
Flight Lieutenant Hall remained in Britain after the war with his English wife Mary and became an aircraft salesman for the de Havilland company, which sent him back to NZ on regular business trips.
He joined the inaugural flight to New Zealand of the ill-fated Comet in the early 1950s and arranged the sale of Hawker Siddeley aircraft to Mount Cook Airlines founder Sir Harry Wigley, whom he got to know well.
In 1972, Mr Hall left de Havilland to set up an award-winning woodcraft and furniture restoration business in England's Lakes District and, according to his nephew, was once commissioned to make a bowl for Diana, Princess of Wales.
Richard Hall said his uncle did not talk much about the war on his trips back to New Zealand, evidently having qualms about the loss of life caused by his service.
His wife died last year. The couple are survived by three children and many grandchildren.
Kiwi flying ace credited with eight kills dies in England - National - NZ Herald News
The former teacher was credited with shooting down eight German aircraft while based in Britain as a pilot with the Royal New Zealand Air Force's 488 squadron of Mosquito fighter planes.
After returning from a mission over Europe on one engine in an aircraft damaged by flying debris, Flight Lieutenant Hall (left) and his British navigator were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. A bar was later added in his case.
Born in Opotiki, Mr Hall caught the flying bug as a boy, when his clergyman father shelled out 10 shillings ($1) for him to go on a flight in 1928 with pioneering Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith.
"When Kingsford Smith came over to Gisborne, they landed on the beach and I think he paid 10 shillings for a joy flight so he was hooked on flying, and that's how he got into the Air Force," his nephew, Richard Hall, said from Brisbane last night.
Flight Lieutenant Hall remained in Britain after the war with his English wife Mary and became an aircraft salesman for the de Havilland company, which sent him back to NZ on regular business trips.
He joined the inaugural flight to New Zealand of the ill-fated Comet in the early 1950s and arranged the sale of Hawker Siddeley aircraft to Mount Cook Airlines founder Sir Harry Wigley, whom he got to know well.
In 1972, Mr Hall left de Havilland to set up an award-winning woodcraft and furniture restoration business in England's Lakes District and, according to his nephew, was once commissioned to make a bowl for Diana, Princess of Wales.
Richard Hall said his uncle did not talk much about the war on his trips back to New Zealand, evidently having qualms about the loss of life caused by his service.
His wife died last year. The couple are survived by three children and many grandchildren.
Kiwi flying ace credited with eight kills dies in England - National - NZ Herald News
RabidAlien
1st Lieutenant
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
RabidAlien
1st Lieutenant
John Finn, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Hawaii on the day the United States was plunged into World War II, died today at his Southern California home at the age of 100.
Finn, a retired Navy lieutenant, was stationed at Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station on Dec. 7, 1941.
As Japanese planes strafed the base, Finn took up a .50-caliber machine gun in defense.
Firing from an exposed position, Finn was wounded several times during the first wave of the attack. Still, he refused to be evacuated, and his actions were credited with rallying other sailors to take up weapons.
On Sept. 15, he received the Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his actions.
Last December, when he was in Hawaii for a memorial event at what is now called Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Finn told The Advertiser he would never forget the attack.
"I grew up thinking the Navy, Marines and Army were invincible," he said, "and here we were, getting our clocks cleaned.
"We got caught so flat-footed. ... They really kicked the living hell out of us."
The event at Kaneohe honored the 18 sailors and two civilians who lost their lives in the attack.
Finn, who regularly returned to Hawaii for Dec. 7 commemorations, was born July 23, 1909, in Los Angeles.
He was the oldest of the 97 Medal of Honor recipients still living.
Finn, a retired Navy lieutenant, was stationed at Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station on Dec. 7, 1941.
As Japanese planes strafed the base, Finn took up a .50-caliber machine gun in defense.
Firing from an exposed position, Finn was wounded several times during the first wave of the attack. Still, he refused to be evacuated, and his actions were credited with rallying other sailors to take up weapons.
On Sept. 15, he received the Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his actions.
Last December, when he was in Hawaii for a memorial event at what is now called Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Finn told The Advertiser he would never forget the attack.
"I grew up thinking the Navy, Marines and Army were invincible," he said, "and here we were, getting our clocks cleaned.
"We got caught so flat-footed. ... They really kicked the living hell out of us."
The event at Kaneohe honored the 18 sailors and two civilians who lost their lives in the attack.
Finn, who regularly returned to Hawaii for Dec. 7 commemorations, was born July 23, 1909, in Los Angeles.
He was the oldest of the 97 Medal of Honor recipients still living.
ToughOmbre
Senior Master Sergeant
RIP Lt. Finn
TO
TO
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Hi,
Just wanted to mention something I thought might interest some of you.. here at the RAF Benevolent Fund we've just produced a special online tribute book together with website friendsandrelations.com as a tribute to all the pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain.
By visiting www.battleofbritainbook.com you can create a dedicated page for any of The Few, whether living or passed on. There you can post pictures, anecdotes, facts and memories - contributing to what we hope will be an invaluable public record of the young men who fought to defend the UK in its most vital hour.
Thanks to everyone who's visited so far
Just wanted to mention something I thought might interest some of you.. here at the RAF Benevolent Fund we've just produced a special online tribute book together with website friendsandrelations.com as a tribute to all the pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain.
By visiting www.battleofbritainbook.com you can create a dedicated page for any of The Few, whether living or passed on. There you can post pictures, anecdotes, facts and memories - contributing to what we hope will be an invaluable public record of the young men who fought to defend the UK in its most vital hour.
Thanks to everyone who's visited so far
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
I realize this is a bit late but it was just sent to me and I had not heard about it. I'm not sure this is the proper place for it so if it is not will one of the Mods please put it in the proper spot. This incident took place last September. The respect displayed is unreal and very commendable and it brought a tear to my eyes.
The Sailor Pictured Below Is,
Navy Petty Officer,
PO2
(Petty Officer, Second Class)
EOD2
(Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Second Class)
"MIKE MONSOOR"
April 5th, 1981 ~ September 29th, 2009
Mike Monsoor,
Was Awarded "The Congressional Medal Of Honor" Last Week,
For Giving His Life In Iraq , As He Jumped On, And Covered With His Body, A Live
Hand Grenade,
Saving The Lives Of A Large Group Of Navy Seals That Was Passing By!
~
During Mike Monsoor's Funeral,
At Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery , In San Diego , California ..
The Six Pallbearers Removed The Rosewood Casket From The Hearse,
And Lined Up On Each Side Of Mike Monsoor's Casket,
Were His Family Members, Friends, Fellow Sailors, And Well-wishers.
The Column Of People Continued From The Hearse, All The Way To The Grave Site.
What The Group Didn't Know At The Time Was,
Every Navy Seal
(45 To Be Exact)
That Mike Monsoor Saved That Day Was Scattered Through-Out The Column!
~
As The Pallbearers Carried The Rosewood Casket
Down The Column Of People To The Grave Side.
The Column Would Collapse..
Which Formed A Group Of People That Followed Behind.
~
Every Time The Rosewood Casket Passed A Navy Seal,
He Would Remove His Gold Trident Pin From His Uniform,
And Slap It Down Hard,
Causing The Gold Trident Pin To Embed Itself
Into The Top Of The Wooden Casket!
Then The Navy Seal Would Step Back From The Column, And Salute!
~
Now For Those,
Who Don't Know What A Trident Pin Is,
Here Is The Definition!
~
After One Completes The Basic Navy Seals Program Which Lasts For Three Weeks,
And Is Followed By Seal Qualification Training,
Which Is 15 More Weeks Of Training,
Necessary To Continue Improving Basic Skills And To Learn New Tactics And Techniques,
Required For An Assignment To A Navy Seal Platoon.
After successful completion,
Trainees Are Given Their Naval Enlisted Code,
And Are Awarded The Navy Seal Trident Pin.
With This Gold Pin They Are Now Officially Navy Seals!
It Was Said,
That You Could Hear Each Of The 45 Slaps From Across The Cemetery!
By The Time The Rosewood Casket Reached The Grave Site,
It Looked As Though It Had A Gold Inlay From The 45 Trident Pins That Lined The Top!
This Was A Fitting End To An Eternal Send-Off For A Warrior Hero!
The Sailor Pictured Below Is,
Navy Petty Officer,
PO2
(Petty Officer, Second Class)
EOD2
(Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Second Class)
"MIKE MONSOOR"
April 5th, 1981 ~ September 29th, 2009
Mike Monsoor,
Was Awarded "The Congressional Medal Of Honor" Last Week,
For Giving His Life In Iraq , As He Jumped On, And Covered With His Body, A Live
Hand Grenade,
Saving The Lives Of A Large Group Of Navy Seals That Was Passing By!
~
During Mike Monsoor's Funeral,
At Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery , In San Diego , California ..
The Six Pallbearers Removed The Rosewood Casket From The Hearse,
And Lined Up On Each Side Of Mike Monsoor's Casket,
Were His Family Members, Friends, Fellow Sailors, And Well-wishers.
The Column Of People Continued From The Hearse, All The Way To The Grave Site.
What The Group Didn't Know At The Time Was,
Every Navy Seal
(45 To Be Exact)
That Mike Monsoor Saved That Day Was Scattered Through-Out The Column!
~
As The Pallbearers Carried The Rosewood Casket
Down The Column Of People To The Grave Side.
The Column Would Collapse..
Which Formed A Group Of People That Followed Behind.
~
Every Time The Rosewood Casket Passed A Navy Seal,
He Would Remove His Gold Trident Pin From His Uniform,
And Slap It Down Hard,
Causing The Gold Trident Pin To Embed Itself
Into The Top Of The Wooden Casket!
Then The Navy Seal Would Step Back From The Column, And Salute!
~
Now For Those,
Who Don't Know What A Trident Pin Is,
Here Is The Definition!
~
After One Completes The Basic Navy Seals Program Which Lasts For Three Weeks,
And Is Followed By Seal Qualification Training,
Which Is 15 More Weeks Of Training,
Necessary To Continue Improving Basic Skills And To Learn New Tactics And Techniques,
Required For An Assignment To A Navy Seal Platoon.
After successful completion,
Trainees Are Given Their Naval Enlisted Code,
And Are Awarded The Navy Seal Trident Pin.
With This Gold Pin They Are Now Officially Navy Seals!
It Was Said,
That You Could Hear Each Of The 45 Slaps From Across The Cemetery!
By The Time The Rosewood Casket Reached The Grave Site,
It Looked As Though It Had A Gold Inlay From The 45 Trident Pins That Lined The Top!
This Was A Fitting End To An Eternal Send-Off For A Warrior Hero!
RabidAlien
1st Lieutenant
One hell of an honor from those Seals. Checked this on Snopes (yeah, I'm a cynical bastard). Its true (except for his rate....he was apparently MA2, not EO2). There's even a video on Snopes' page.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/monsoor.asp
Last edited:
One of the first places I go with any of these email stories. Glad to hear there is some truth to it though.
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
Glad to know it is true.
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Dam straight!
Squadron Leader Jim Heyworth.
Squadron Leader Jim Heyworth, who has died aged 88, completed 60 missions as a bomber pilot before joining Rolls-Royce, where he went on to become the company's chief test pilot.
Heyworth was seconded to Rolls-Royce at Hucknall in June 1944 to "develop a new type of power unit", which turned out to be the jet engine invented by Frank Whittle. He soon had his first experience of flying with the revolutionary new engine when he piloted a Wellington bomber modified to carry the Whittle W2B. He tested the same engine, which was given the name Welland, in the prototype Meteor jet fighter.
After leaving the RAF in 1946, Heyworth remained with Rolls-Royce. The next few years saw dramatic advances in aircraft engine design, and Heyworth played a key role in their development. The many innovations at the beginning of the jet age had to be tested using standard fighters and bombers modified as flying test beds. Heyworth flew a modified transport version of the Lancaster bomber fitted with Nene jet engines, and the Trent-engined Meteor, the world's first propeller-turbine aircraft.
He was also involved in the development of vertical take-off engines. In 1954 he completed a number of "flights" in the tethered engine test rig called the Thrust Measuring Rig (TMR) – better known as "The Flying Bedstead" – which was used to develop the vertical thrust technology and flight control systems later used in the Harrier. Subsequently he flew a Meteor fitted with the RB 108 vertical lift engine.
The Meteor proved an ideal aircraft as an engine testbed, and Heyworth flew a number of them fitted with a wide variety of jet engines, including one equipped with afterburners. He also tested the powerful Conway engine mounted on an Ashton jet and the Vulcan bomber.
In 1955 he was appointed the company's chief test pilot, following in the footsteps of his brother Harvey, a former Battle of Britain pilot who had been the first test pilot to fly 1,000 hours on jets. Testing such a wide variety of experimental designs, some not as successful as others, was not without incident, and Heyworth had his fair share of them.
Engine failures forced him to land a Spitfire in a field, and a Mustang on a remote airfield after oil covered the windshield, obliterating his view. He was once in a Meteor at 25,000ft when the canopy flew off; and on another occasion the wheels of his Hunter fighter failed to lower.
Alexander James Heyworth, the son of a doctor, was born at Belper, Derbyshire, on June 5 1922 and educated at St Edward's, Oxford, where he excelled at rugby and hockey. He was accepted to read Medicine at Gonville and Caius, Cambridge, but in May 1940 he volunteered for flying duties with the RAF.
After training as a pilot he joined No 12 Squadron to fly Wellington bombers. During a daylight attack against Germany's capital ships at Brest in July 1941, his aircraft was attacked by fighters, but his skilful direction of the gunners kept them at bay.
On the night of October 14/15 1941 he attacked Nuremberg. The weather was poor, and after dropping his bombs he turned for home. Moments later the starboard engine failed, and he was faced with a long transit over enemy territory flying on the one remaining engine. He and his crew debated heading for Switzerland, but with his wedding only two weeks away, Heyworth decided to head for base.
Despite full power on the port engine the bomber steadily lost height. All the disposable items, including the guns and ammunition, were jettisoned. To hold the aircraft straight, Heyworth had to apply full rudder, but after a few hours the strain began to tell on him and the crew found some rope to lash the pedal to the airframe, thus giving his leg some respite.
The aircraft crossed the French coast at 1,000ft, and once it was below a safe height to bail out, the parachutes were also jettisoned. Heyworth just managed to reach the Kent coast as dawn broke, and, with the remaining engine failing and fog descending, he crash-landed near Romney Marsh. The crew were uninjured, but were arrested by a farmer armed with a shotgun. With hands held high, Heyworth was able to convince him that they were not Germans.
Heyworth, who had held the aircraft steady on one engine for more than five hours (an unprecedented feat at that time), was awarded an immediate DFC.
After a few months on a rest tour, Heyworth returned to No 12 Squadron in 1943 to fly Lancasters during Bomber Command's main offensive and at the height of what was called the Battle of the Ruhr. Aged 21 he was promoted to squadron leader and appointed a flight commander. He attacked the industrial cities of the Ruhr, including the Krupps works at Essen, and flew on the major raids against Hamburg in the summer of 1943. He was mentioned in despatches.
After completing his 60th operation he was posted to a staff appointment and shortly afterwards was awarded a Bar to his DFC, the citation noting his gallantry and "unabated enthusiasm".
After 18 years' test flying, during which time he flew 82 different types of aircraft, Heyworth retired from the role in 1962 and joined the engineering management department of Rolls-Royce at Derby, finally retiring in 1981.
He was appointed a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in 1962, when he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He was awarded the Thulin medal by the Swedish Aeronautical Society.
After retiring Heyworth served as chairman of his parish council and as a local school governor. A keen sportsman in his younger days, he represented the East Midlands at hockey; he continued to play golf until he was well into his eighties.
Jim Heyworth, who died on June 10, married, in 1941, Joy Quiggin, who survives him with their three sons.
source: The Telegraph.
Squadron Leader Jim Heyworth, who has died aged 88, completed 60 missions as a bomber pilot before joining Rolls-Royce, where he went on to become the company's chief test pilot.
Heyworth was seconded to Rolls-Royce at Hucknall in June 1944 to "develop a new type of power unit", which turned out to be the jet engine invented by Frank Whittle. He soon had his first experience of flying with the revolutionary new engine when he piloted a Wellington bomber modified to carry the Whittle W2B. He tested the same engine, which was given the name Welland, in the prototype Meteor jet fighter.
After leaving the RAF in 1946, Heyworth remained with Rolls-Royce. The next few years saw dramatic advances in aircraft engine design, and Heyworth played a key role in their development. The many innovations at the beginning of the jet age had to be tested using standard fighters and bombers modified as flying test beds. Heyworth flew a modified transport version of the Lancaster bomber fitted with Nene jet engines, and the Trent-engined Meteor, the world's first propeller-turbine aircraft.
He was also involved in the development of vertical take-off engines. In 1954 he completed a number of "flights" in the tethered engine test rig called the Thrust Measuring Rig (TMR) – better known as "The Flying Bedstead" – which was used to develop the vertical thrust technology and flight control systems later used in the Harrier. Subsequently he flew a Meteor fitted with the RB 108 vertical lift engine.
The Meteor proved an ideal aircraft as an engine testbed, and Heyworth flew a number of them fitted with a wide variety of jet engines, including one equipped with afterburners. He also tested the powerful Conway engine mounted on an Ashton jet and the Vulcan bomber.
In 1955 he was appointed the company's chief test pilot, following in the footsteps of his brother Harvey, a former Battle of Britain pilot who had been the first test pilot to fly 1,000 hours on jets. Testing such a wide variety of experimental designs, some not as successful as others, was not without incident, and Heyworth had his fair share of them.
Engine failures forced him to land a Spitfire in a field, and a Mustang on a remote airfield after oil covered the windshield, obliterating his view. He was once in a Meteor at 25,000ft when the canopy flew off; and on another occasion the wheels of his Hunter fighter failed to lower.
Alexander James Heyworth, the son of a doctor, was born at Belper, Derbyshire, on June 5 1922 and educated at St Edward's, Oxford, where he excelled at rugby and hockey. He was accepted to read Medicine at Gonville and Caius, Cambridge, but in May 1940 he volunteered for flying duties with the RAF.
After training as a pilot he joined No 12 Squadron to fly Wellington bombers. During a daylight attack against Germany's capital ships at Brest in July 1941, his aircraft was attacked by fighters, but his skilful direction of the gunners kept them at bay.
On the night of October 14/15 1941 he attacked Nuremberg. The weather was poor, and after dropping his bombs he turned for home. Moments later the starboard engine failed, and he was faced with a long transit over enemy territory flying on the one remaining engine. He and his crew debated heading for Switzerland, but with his wedding only two weeks away, Heyworth decided to head for base.
Despite full power on the port engine the bomber steadily lost height. All the disposable items, including the guns and ammunition, were jettisoned. To hold the aircraft straight, Heyworth had to apply full rudder, but after a few hours the strain began to tell on him and the crew found some rope to lash the pedal to the airframe, thus giving his leg some respite.
The aircraft crossed the French coast at 1,000ft, and once it was below a safe height to bail out, the parachutes were also jettisoned. Heyworth just managed to reach the Kent coast as dawn broke, and, with the remaining engine failing and fog descending, he crash-landed near Romney Marsh. The crew were uninjured, but were arrested by a farmer armed with a shotgun. With hands held high, Heyworth was able to convince him that they were not Germans.
Heyworth, who had held the aircraft steady on one engine for more than five hours (an unprecedented feat at that time), was awarded an immediate DFC.
After a few months on a rest tour, Heyworth returned to No 12 Squadron in 1943 to fly Lancasters during Bomber Command's main offensive and at the height of what was called the Battle of the Ruhr. Aged 21 he was promoted to squadron leader and appointed a flight commander. He attacked the industrial cities of the Ruhr, including the Krupps works at Essen, and flew on the major raids against Hamburg in the summer of 1943. He was mentioned in despatches.
After completing his 60th operation he was posted to a staff appointment and shortly afterwards was awarded a Bar to his DFC, the citation noting his gallantry and "unabated enthusiasm".
After 18 years' test flying, during which time he flew 82 different types of aircraft, Heyworth retired from the role in 1962 and joined the engineering management department of Rolls-Royce at Derby, finally retiring in 1981.
He was appointed a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in 1962, when he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He was awarded the Thulin medal by the Swedish Aeronautical Society.
After retiring Heyworth served as chairman of his parish council and as a local school governor. A keen sportsman in his younger days, he represented the East Midlands at hockey; he continued to play golf until he was well into his eighties.
Jim Heyworth, who died on June 10, married, in 1941, Joy Quiggin, who survives him with their three sons.
source: The Telegraph.
RabidAlien
1st Lieutenant
Vic Balshaw
Major General