WAR SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24979, 23 August 1944, Page 4

WAR SERVICE

EXPERIENCED PILOTS SECOND ACCIDENT IN AREA Soino well-known officers are among the members of the K.N.Z.A.F. reported missing in the flight from Fiji to New Zealand. The accident is the second of its kind in tlio South Pacific area, an R.N.Z.A.F. Catalina (lying-boat having been reported missing with 15 passengers between Fiji and Auckland in June, 1913. Flight-Lieutenant Wilbur Lange is a well-known Auckland footballer, having played for the University Club. He joined the Air Force soon after war broke out and served in different aircrew capacities, instructing for a period and going overseas after Japan declfU'eo war. He was at first with an Army co-operation squadron, later transferring to bomber reconnaissance. lfi.-> wife. .Mrs T. Lange, lives in Auckland. Flying-OHicer J. T. Waugh is well known as a member of the ministerial secretarial corps, to which he belonged lor many years before joining the Air Force. Becoming a Minister's secretary while still under 21 years of age, he served as private secretary successively to the late Sir James Allen, the late Sir Maui Pomare, Sir Alexander Young and the Hon. H. Semple. He accompanied Mr Fraser on the Prime Minister's first visit to London in 1941. Fly-ing-Officer Waugh is aged 44. A son, Sergeant-Pilot Waugh. is shortly to go overseas. Encounter With Zeros Flying-Officer Sydney Philip A Idridge, who is aged 24, was a member of the New Zealand Permanent Staff before the war, and served for two years in the Army after war broke out. He left for Air Force training in Canada iu 1912 and later returned to New Zealand it ml saw service in the Solomons. He was wounded in the foot last Christmas when his aircraft was attacked by nine Zeros. Three of the enemy were shot down and the remainder put to ilight, Flying-Officer Aidridge was horn at Mokauiti and educated in Auckland. A brother is serving in the Air Force. His wife, Mrs S. A. Aldridge. lives at 4 Somerset Road, Mount Roskill. Flying-Officer John Andrew Olsen is a son of Mr Angus Olsen, of 4 Haig Avenue, Mount Roskill. He joined the Air Force soon after the beginning of the war and had service in England before returning to New Zealand. He was commissioned after a tour of duty iu the Pacific area. Horn in Nnpier and educated at the .Marist Brothers' School, lie was farming before the war. He is aged 2">. A School Athlete Flying-Officer David Oliphant Stewart, who is aged 29, is the oldest son of Mr H. H. Stewart, of Green Lane. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School and was in business on his own account before the war. He joined the Air Force in January. 1940. and was trained as a pilot. For the last sis months he has been serving in the Pacific. Pilot-Officer Han Russell .Johnson, who is aged 21. is a son of Mrs 10. M. Johnson, of 12 Dryden Street. Gre.v Lvnn. Born in Auckland and educated at the Mount Albert Grammar School, where he had a brilliant athletic career, lie joined the Air Force in 1942. after Territorial service. He was trained in New Zealand and left for service in the Pacific with a reconaissance squadron . Flight - Sergeant Thomas Hartley Ward, who is aged Mi. was born in Australia, but had lived in New Zenland for ten years before the war. After xome time in the Army he joined the Air Force over two years ago. Before enlisting he was departmental manager of a city sfore and a member of the Pakuranen Hunt. Soldier and Airman Warrant-Officer Arthur Francis Dunstan, who is aged 25, joined the Air Force in 1941 and returned to New Zealand after training in Canada. Born at Motinviiero, Gisborne, he worked in the freezing works there before the war. His wife, Mrs L. F. Dunstan. is at present living in Auckland. Sergeant Thomas Britton Carey is a son of Mr T. F. Carey, of 24 Jessel Street. Grey Lynn, and is aged 22. He served for ten months with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Pacific before returning to New Zealand and transferring to the Air Force. Educated in Auckland, lie was a keen Rugby League footballer and captained the third grade Auckland schoolboy representatives on a number of occasions. Sergeant George Arthur Bryant, who is 2.'), was a golf professional in Greymouth before the war. He served in the Army for two years, before joining the Air Force in 1942. His mother is Mrs M. E. Brvant, of Auckland.

AIRMAN DECORATED AUCKLAND PILOT FIGHTING IN BURMA I'ho Distinguished Flying Medal has been awarded to Pilot-Officer lan Duke Culpan, voungest son of Mr and Mrs A. F. Culpan. of 32 Islington Street. Ponsoiiby. Pilot-Officer Culpan is aged 23 and Was commissioned early ibis month.

I'i lot-Officer Culpan is mi old boy of the Maris! Brothers' School, Vermont Street, and the Auckland Grammar School, and left lor Canada in September. 1911. After service with a bomber squadron in Britain lie was transferred to a lighter squadron on the Burma front, where he won his decoration. A bfoth'er, Sub-1-ieiitenant D. K. Culpan. is serving with tho Fleet, Air Arm in the .Mediterranean. FLYING CROSS WON WARRANT-OFFICER'S AWARI) (0.C.) T A UNA NO A, Tuesday Advice has been received that Warrant-Officer fSdgnr David Bardell, son of Mrs E. Bardell, of Mount Maunganui, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. WarrantOfficer Bardell, who was born in England in 1011. studied at the Swansea Nautical School and was selected from there to take a course at Flock House. Afterward he worked on various farms in the Mnnawatu district. Warrant-Officer Bardell joined the Air Force in 1939 immediately war broke out and left for England in 19-10. Later he served in India as a gunner. He returned to England and joined the R.N.Z.A.F. Wing. MINE MANAGER'S DEATH (P.A,) ORKYMOUTM, Tuesday The death occurred suddenly this nfteriKion of Mr Albert Smith, aged 58. manager of the Liverpool Slate mine. Mr Smith, who was married, was gassed in the mine on' August 14, but Recovered,