Australian War Memorial – information update

I am pleased to relay to all of you that I received an email from Chris,
Assistant Curator, Military Heraldry & Technology at the Australian War Memorial this morning informing me that, to the best of his and his teams knowledge all items held in the collection which encompasses uniforms, badges, medals  etc and items of military technology has had it’s information updated to correctly/ accurately  reflect the name of the Squadron.

I am really pleased to have received this information as it represents an ongoing effort by the AWM to update their records after an initial request made by myself slightly over a year ago. My first contact was replied to very quickly, but obviously a task of this kind takes time and coordination and obviously has to fit within other projects and activities that the curatorial staff are involved with.

As I said in my original post about this work, whilst a small detail of correction, it’s a significant one , I am sure , for the families and relatives of the 32 Australian airmen that died with 75(NZ) Squadron RAF.

Many thanks to all of the Australian War Memorial staff who have helped make this happen.

Visit the Australian War Memorial here.

Update to the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll

Many thanks to Meredith and her staff in the Honours Rolls section of the Australian War Memorial for updating the records of the 32 Australian airmen who flew with and lost their lives with 75(NZ) Squadron. I am pleased to say that the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll now correctly records their Squadron as 75(NZ) Squadron RAF.

After initially contacting the AWM with my request that the records be corrected, the staff replied to me and very quickly corrected the information. I am sure that we all send our thanks to the individuals who were involved in this activity. Whilst perhaps to some, a small matter of detail, to many of us, including , I am sure the families of these 32 brave boys, it is a very important one nevertheless.

Visit the Australian War Memorial website here.

Arthur George Bernard RNZAF NZ424964 – Rear Gunner. 1943 – Single crew

Many belated thanks to Kerry for contributing another logbook from his collection. This logbook was owned by Arthur Bernard, rear Gunner with Alan Single’s crew. The crew arrived at Mepal on the 28th September 1943 (Alan, the Pilot arriving 6 days earlier. 2 months later, 6 of this original crew  were  lost on an Op to Berlin.

02.10.43. Gardening – Frisian Islands
Stirling Mk.III EH 939 JN-J ‘Johnny’
F/S Alan Roy Single RAAF AUS.413144 – Pilot.
P/O Jack Brothwell RAFVR 135042 – Navigator.
Sgt. John Edward Stanley Margetts RNZAF NZ422665 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Eric Richmond Whittingham RNZAF NZ416030 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. D. Harrington RAFVR 1477334 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Victor Stanley Hughes RAFVR 1796312 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Arthur George Bernard RNZAF NZ424964 – Rear Gunner.

4.10.43. Gardening – Gironde Estuary
Stirling Mk.III EJ901 (more likely EH901) JN-R
Same crew

18.11.43. War Ops – Attack Against Targets at Mannheim
Stirling Mk.III LK396
Same crew

22.11.43. War Ops – Attack Against Targets at Berlin

Stirling Mk.III LJ453 AA-K
Sgt. Ivor Hollbrook  replaces Sgt. Harrington as Flight Engineer.

AIRCRAFT FAILED TO RETURN
Crashed between Gemmerich and Dolberg, 6km SSE of Ahlen.
F/S Alan Roy Single RAAF AUS.413144 – Pilot.
Died Age 26.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
P/O Jack Brothwell RAFVR 135042 – Navigator.
Died Age 24.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt. John Edward Stanley Margetts RNZAF NZ422665 – Air Bomber.
Died Age 25.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt. Eric Richmond Whittingham RNZAF NZ416030 – Wireless Operator.
Died Age 22.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt. Ivor George Holbrook, RAFVR 937367 – Flight Engineer.
Died age 23.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt. Victor Stanley Hughes RAFVR 1796312 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Died age 19.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt. Arthur George Bernard RNZAF NZ424964 – Rear Gunner.
Died age 22.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.

View Arthur’s logbook here.