QUEEN’S FLIGHT OF R.N.Z.A.F.

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27225, 17 December 1953, Page 10

QUEEN’S FLIGHT OF R.N.Z.A.F.

CREWS FOR THREE DAKOTAS CHOICE OF ROYAL PILOT ANNOUNCED (New Zealand Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, Dec. 16. The names of the 12 crew members of the Queen’s Flight for the New Zealand tour were announced at Ohakea this afternoon. The name of the Queen’s pilot has also been announced, but the appointments for the remaining 11 members of the flight have not yet been made public. The Queen’s Flight will comprise three Dakotas from No. 42 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which is commanded by Squadron Leader R. D. McVicker. Besides the three Dakotas, there will be 12 other planes in support, carrying baggage, cars, police, etc. The Queen’s pilot will be Squadron Leader C. L. Siegert. D.F.C. . Members of the flight will go into training at Ohakea immediately. They have been chosen because of their wide experience in Air Force transport duties. There will be five pilots, four navigators, two signallers, and one flight engineer, . The name of one of the two flight stewards has also been announced. Members of the flight will be:— Pilot Captains Squadron Leader C. L. Siegert, D.F.C., who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1942 and served with Nos. 297, 299. and 199 Squadrons of the Royal Air Force or bombing duties. He was* seconded tn the British Overseas Airways Corporation at the end of the European war and flew on United Kingdom, Middle East, and West African routes. He was a Dakota captain with the R.N.Z.A.F. in Japan from 1947 to 1949. He was then' posted to No. 24 Squadron of the R.A.F. He is aged 30. Flight Lieutenant W. M. Golden, of Auckland, who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1940, and by 1945 had completed four tours of Pacific operations. He then left the Air Force to join v the National Airways Corporation. He rejoined the Air Force in 1950 and was posted to No. 24 Squadron of the R.A.F.

Flight Lieutenant K. B. Smith, of Wellington, who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1942 and served in Italy, Palestine, and in the Berlin airlift. He later served for four years with the Commonwealth Squadron of the R.A.F. He is aged 30. Second Pilots

Flight Lieutenant L. A. R. Hill, of Havelock North, who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1942 as a navigator and served for eight years on transport route flying. He trained as a pilot in 1951. He is aged 32. Pilot Officer J. H. Bayliss, of Auckland, who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1951 and has since served with No. 41 Transport Squadron. He is aged 22.

Navigators Flight Lieutenant R. H. J. Myhill, of London, who joined the R.A.F. in 1942 and served on war-time transport operations. He was in the Berlin airlift and served with the Commonwealth Squadron of the R.A.F. He joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1952. He i» Flight Lieutenant H. W. Shilton, D.F.C., of Auckland, who has been with the R.N.Z.A.F. since 1942. He had war-time, experience in Britain in bomber and transport squadrons. He served in the Commonwealth Squadron after the war. He is aged 33. Pilot Officer G. C. Petterson, of Auckland, who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1948, was commissioned in 1953, and has seen continuous service with No. 41 Squadron. He is aged 26. Flying Officer It. N. Macdonnell, of Hastings.

Signallers Pilot Officer G. R. Blackett, of Auckland, who joined the R.A.F. in 1946 and the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1951. IJe flew 600 hours in Comet development work. He is aged 30. Sergeant B. C. Hargreaves, of Christchurch. Flight Engineer Master Engineer D-McF. Stark, who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1938, and from 1947 to 1949 served with the Commonwealth Squadron of the R.A.F. He has had continuous transport experience since then. He is aged 36. Flight Steward

Sergeant R. H. Roberts, of Wellington, who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1940 and saw five years’ overseas service in the Pacific.

FORMER GUARDSMEN IN N.Z.

NO SPECIAL PARADE. (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 16. Former guardsjnen living in New Zealand will not parade as a separate body to meet the Queen during the Royal visit, but Her Majesty will watch for them at other parades and gatherings. The New Zealand branch of the Household Brigade Old Comrades’ Association urges all former guardsmen attending Royal functions to wear their association badge and the brigade tie. This request has come from association headquarters in London, which it is understood received the instructions from an officer of the Royal party. Before leaving on her interrupted tour in 1952 the Queen —then Princess Elizabeth—asked the association for a list of former guardsmen in New Zealand, because she wished to meet as many of them as possible. The Queen is honorary cplonel-in-chief of all seven regiments of horse and foot guards in the Household Brigade.