This IN MEMORIAM page (listed in chronological order) is dedicated to the memory of those from our Air New Zealand aviation fraternity who are now no longer with us…....
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Captain Douglas Keesing
He passed away 30th March 2000 aged 82 years
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Captain Peter Simpson
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| 06.02.1934 - 23.06.2005 |
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| Video of Perry Wilkins on his final flight prior to retirement in 1990 |
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Jack Henry Budd
Jack was Born in Te Puke, 9th September 1923, the son of the accountant at the local Stock Agents. Youngest Brother of Ted and Margaret.
He grew up as a boy in Rotorua and left School to Join the Bank of New South Wales now Westpac. He was a faithful client all his life.
He was called up to serve in WW2, joining the army attached to the Air Defence in Kawakawa.
While Stationed in Kawakawa he and his mate Jeff Burton thought; 'There must be a better way to fight the war than being in the far North'.
He saw a notice on the local notice board calling for volunteers for the Air Force.
He and Jeff Burton joined the air force and then he did his initial training on tiger moths in Christchurch. He was then transferred to Calgary in Canada.
He remained there for 18 months where he got his commission as a Pilot Officer and he became a training instructor. He then went to England in the last few months of the war.
Upon returning to NZ he rejoined the bank, for a short period of time - and again noticed an advert for pilots for National Airway Corporation - NAC.
He began flying as a pilot for NAC in 1948. His first flight was with Roy Montrowe flying out of Whenuapai in the Electra 10A.
Around this time he met Bob and Beverly Barr who introduced him to his future wife Shirley - Bev's sister.
Shirley was a ground hostess for NAC.
Shirley and Jack were Married in Wellington in Oct 1951.
They lived on the north shore in Minnehaha Ave before the harbour bridge was built. They went on to have two children under 3 and a half years of age. Mark, and the late Tony. When the family moved to Nelson along came their third child Amanda.
In 1957 Jack flew De Havilland Herons out of Nelson into Wellington and one of his favourite stories was how flying into Wellington, which has some of the world's worst airport turbulence, and would really sort out the men from the boys.
This was proven when they discovered cracks appearing in the rear wing spar of the Heron. When the engineers came out to NZ from De Havilland in the UK and flew around for couple of weeks they were reported as saying that the Herons were never designed for these conditions.
About that time Jack moved to Paraparamu where we lived for a few years while he built a new house for the family in Karori.
Wanting to move back to Auckland he then Joined SPANZ and he and the family headed back to Auckland.
At that time, I remember going on a flight with him in the DC3 cockpit down to Invercargill.
We then lived in Epsom for a while before moving to the Eastern suburbs.
While on the school committee at Kohimarama primary school he met the Fight Operations Manager for TEAL, Ken Brown-John.
Knowing that his time in SPANZ was drawing to an end, he asked Captain Brown-John if there were any opportunities at TEAL for a pilot, and with luck being on his side, he got the job.
He joined TEAL in 1966 which in turn became Air New Zealand.
He was a Captain on the Lockheed L188C Electras, DC8s and DC10s.
He retired from Air New Zealand in 1978 as a Captain on the DC10s aged 55 as that was the compulsory retirement age at the time.
He then went on to live in Singapore for 2 years flying for Singapore Airlines which he always said was a highlight in his career and felt it was a very special time for Shirley who relished the chance to live the ex-pat lifestyle.
Jack finished his flying career with a stint at Garuda Airlines flying pilgrims to Mecca, before returning to NZ.
In 1994 he built his apartment in St Heliers for Shirley and himself which they both loved and the fact that he could walk to the Bowling club was a real bonus.
He was member at Manukau Golf club for many years and enjoyed meeting the boys for a game of golf on a regular basis.
He loved his Friday nights with Roy and friends at the CT Club, Rugby on TV, bowls and the camaraderie at the Bowling club and being part of the St Heliers Village.
He was always thankful for the great friendships that he had made in this life.
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Captain Denis Fahey
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Though first established at Wigram in 1923, it wasn't until 1937 that the Royal New Zealand Air Force became an independent military command.
This National Film Unit documentary marks the RNZAF 21st anniversary celebrations in 1958.
It looks back at the RNZAF's early days and its battle-hardened contribution in World War II, then follows newly recruited Officer cadets working towards earning their ‘wings’
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Murray’s
family have opened this Face Book memorial page to let his friends view and post tributes and/or photos
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For More About Gordon Vette >>>
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JOHN NAISH
20.09.1945 – 27.08.2015
https://notices.nzherald.co.nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/obituary.aspx?n=john-morgan-naish&pid=175668381
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March 1959 Tealagram Vol 3 No 1
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Harold celebrating his 90th Birthday, February 2017
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| Mike at F.E.A.R. Function 25 JUNE 2015 |
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To view this nostalgic 1st October 1990 “YouTube” video
of Captain Graham Webster flying ZK-NZV, an Air New Zealand Boeing B747-219B
'Classic', into Honolulu International Airport after a long overnight NZ16
flight from Auckland via Fiji, click on....
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KEVIN DENHOLM
22.10.1934 - 20.03.2018
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TWIGGY SCHMIDT
27.07.1929 - 30.03.2018
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Captain Alan Joseph ROBERTS
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MICHAEL FITZPATRICK
14.11.34 - 08.01.2019
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Captain Peter Bryce DAWSON
31 January 1940 - 14 February 2019
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Captain Lloyd Fullwood
Died on Friday 1st March 2019
Peter Young has thoughtfully provided this brief summary of Lloyd’s aviation career….
Lloyd Fullwood joined NAC as pilot about 1974.
He flew F27, B737, DC10, B747-200 as First Officer then as Captain F27 and B737
He opted for early retirement at age 45/46 in about 1993/1994.
Then spent a couple of years as DC10 Capt with Thai Airways.
Finished with Air New Zealand after a further few years as a B737 simulator instructor.
They relocated to Mooloolaba in the mid 1990's until about 2014 when his illness started to progress.
He is survived by wife Dale, twin girls Angela and Jo-Anne and son Ray.
Lloyd was an excellent golfer (handicap 6 or 7 in his prime) [taught me a lot!]
An always enthusiastic fisherman and a very fit and keen runner.
He often enjoyed catching a wave in the surf and could be quite easily persuaded to join you for a beer or 3!
A friend to all and a genuine top bloke.
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Captain Paul Kelly
Paul died at home on Tuesday 12 March 2019
He was 75.
He had not been well but his death was unexpected.
At Paul’s request there would not be a funeral.
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Flight Engineer Larry Pope
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Captain Harry Norton
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Captain Ted Prebble
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Captain William Paul Nevill (Nobby) Clarke AFC
Captain William Paul Nevill (Nobby) Clarke AFC
Pilot. NZ415292; Served with RNZAF from 30 Sep 1941 to 10 Apr 1947
Born Dunedin, 5 Nov 1921
Died peacefully at North Bridge Retirement Home on Thursday 22 August 2019 aged 97 years.
Citation King’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (7 Sep 1945):
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the name of Flight Lieutenant William Paul Nevill Clarke who has been commended for valuable service in the air.
Served with 231 Sqn RAF on aircraft ferry duties.
Citation Air Force Cross (NY1946): [231 Sqn RAF]
This officer has been on the Pacific Ferry Run since its inception and has completed ten and a half round trips, five of which have been completed since he was appointed captain. Flight Lieutenant Clarke has displayed great initiative and has set a very high standard.
No 231 Sqn was based at Dorval Airport, Montreal from Sep 1944.
Flt Lt Clarke undertook numerous ferry flights to Nassau, Bahamas; to the Gold Coast, West Africa; to Scotland and to India transporting Hudson, Baltimore, Dakota, Ventura, Marauder and Liberator aircraft.
In Nov 1944 he joined the Pacific Ferry run, ferrying passengers in Liberators between San Diego and Sydney via Honolulu, Canton, Nadi and Whenuapai.
After a short postwar secondment to BOAC, Neville left the RNZAF, came home to New Zealand, and joined TEAL on the 7th of May 1947.
He flew as co-pilot and later captain with the airline, encompassing such aircraft types on the Short Empire, the Short Sandringham, the Short Solent, the Douglas DC-6, the Lockheed Electra, the Douglas DC-8 and lastly the McDonnell Douglas DC10-30's
Nobby was well known as Patron of the North Shore Brevet Club and from his long service with Teal and Air New Zealand.
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Captain Mark Norrie
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FLIGHT ENGINEER DAVID ROSEINGRAVE
15.11.1937 - 23.09.2019
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Captain Don Niccol
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CAPTAIN GRAHAM McLEOD
Graham (MAC) Charles McLeod 6 March 1939 - 16 December 2019
War Memorial Plaque to be laid in memory of his Military Service RAAF/RNZAF
Private Military Memorial Service ...
No flowers or tributes...by request...
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| Graham
enjoying himself at FEAR June 2017 |
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CAPTAIN JOHN SAGAR
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Captain Graeme Milligan
02.02.1954 - 31.03.2020
Graeme died on 31st March 2020 during the Covid 19 virus lockdown .
His memorial service was held at The Warbirds Hangar, Ardmore on 18 July 2020.
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Flight Engineer TOM MOODY
20.08.1935 – 19.06.2020
The following is an extract from a booklet produced for the 50th Anniversary Reunion in January 2003 for the 1953 R.N.Z.A.F. #6 Boy Entrant School Course (this was the 2nd Boy Entrant Course at Woodbourne)
Moody. Thomas Hilton. 76822. Trade: Engines
Tom completed 21 years’ service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
After 2 years at Woodbourne where he completed Boy Entrant School and an Engine Mechanics course Tom went to Whenuapai for a few months & then on to Lauthala Bay for 2 years.
He returned to Woodbourne in 1958 for a Fitters course.
He then proceeded to Ohakea where he was promoted to Corporal.
In 1961 he attended an Aircrew course and emerged as a Sergeant Flight Engineer and was posted to N°5 Flying Boat Squadron, Hobsonville.
1963-64 saw him operating on Sunderlands from Lauthala Bay.
Tom married in 1965 and 1966 saw him on a Lockheed P-3 Orion course at USN Moffett Field, California, with fellow ex Boy Entrant, Graham Corkill.
Tom & Graham participated in the delivery flight of the Orions.
He was promoted to Flight Sergeant in 1967 and was commissioned Flying Officer in 1969.
In 1972 he was posted to a ground job as an Instructor at Pilot Training School at Wigram, & promoted to Flight Lieutenant.
Retired in 1974 and spent 5 months in civvy street as a licensed Motor Mechanic.
Later that same year Tom was hired as a Flight Engineer by Air New Zealand and flew on DC-8’s until 1981 when he converted onto DC-10’s.
In 1987 he moved onto Boeing 747’s where he remained until retirement in 1990.
Tom has two sons and one daughter. One son is an Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 pilot and the other a Boeing 737-300 pilot.
Tom’s one regret of 1953 was missing the end of year camp at Rainbow Valley due to double pneumonia.
Another interesting fact about the 1953 R.N.Z.A.F. #6 Boy Entrant School Course....
Five members of #6 R.N.Z.A.F. Boy Entrant School Course subsequently went on to become Air New Zealand FLIGHT ENGINEERS....
Noel Baker, Graham Corkill, Warwick Knox, Tom Moody and Gary Sommerville.
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Captain Errol Carr
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Captain Leslie Simpson
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Captain David Simpson
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Captain Graham Lloyd
Captain Graham Robert (Snow) Lloyd AFC
Obituary: written by Roger Henstock
Graham Robert Lloyd was born in Blenheim June 1943 and was educated at
Marlborough College.
In 1961 he applied to join the RNZAF as a pilot and was accepted. His
training commenced in January 1962 on No.36 Aircrew Course.
After ground training, 6 months on Harvards and 5 months on Devons
Graham gained his wings in May 1963.
He was then very pleased to be posted with three other pilots to the Jet
Conversion Course at Ohakea. This unit was part of 75 Sqn equipped with T11/FB5
Vampires.
Later that year Graham was chosen to fly in the squadron formation
aerobatic team along with the more senior pilots and took part in the big
Airforce Day 1964 display and other displays over the next eighteen months.
After two years on 75 Sqn he was posted to 14 Sqn to fly Canberra light
bombers however after only six months he was diagnosed as having Hodgkins
Disease. He was off flying and very ill for months. He was at that time the
first person in NZ to survive this disease!
He returned to flying in July 1966 shortly after marrying Christine,
also from Blenheim. You could say that at this stage things couldn't get much
better!
He was posted to the Central Flying School (CFS) April 1968 then to
Pilot Training School (PTS) as an instructor. A Junior Staff Course followed in
early 1970 after which he was selected to be on the staff of CFS.
While he was with CFS he was sent to Singapore to demonstrate the Airtourer
to RAF, RSAF and RMAF pilots and various officials over a two week period. The
following year he demonstrated the aircraft to the Thai military which included
a display over Bangkok international Airport. He was also No.5 Solo in the Red
Checkers.
Early in 1972 he returned to 14Sqn as an instructor and in April was
sent to the UK to train on the BAC 167 Strikemaster. This took 3 months and
while he was away his daughter Jacqueline was born.
Graham was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) for the Strikemaster
introduction program, the promotional activities for the Airtourer and his high
instructional standards.
There followed a brief time on 75 Sqn flying A4K/TA4K Skyhawks after
which he decided to leave the RNZAF, joining Air NZ in early 1974.
As a First Officer he progressed through the DC8, DC10 and B747-200
fleets gaining his captaincy in the mid 1980's on the B747. Later he would
transfer to the B747-400.
On reaching the age of 60 in 2003 it was no longer possible to fly long
haul as a captain and as did many others, he returned to the rank of First
Officer before finally retiring in his late 60's.
Graham and Christine often went to the Marlborough area particularly
after retirement and enjoyed their bach at Waikawa Bay.
They also enjoyed their activities with the Tiger Moth Club and their
launch Vicuna.
To say Graham lived life to the full is a significant understatement. He
will be missed.
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Captain Max Brister
FEAR [ Flight Engineer Aircrew Reunion ] 20th June
2019
Max Brister lands at LAX Runway 25L. Holds between runways awaiting clearance to taxi to gate in the Alleyway.
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Captain Tony Williams
Captain
Tony Williams is seated in front row, 5 in from left
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Tony Williams joined the RNZAF in 1945.
He flew ten hours in Tiger Moths before the war ended and he was
demobbed.
However he rejoined the Air Force in 1948 as a Navigator trainee.
He completed training as a Navigator-Wireless Operator in Avro Ansons at the
Air Navigation School (ANS) at Wigram. He was then posted to No. 14 Squadron at
Ohakea to continue operational training in the Airspeed Oxfords.
In February 1950 Tony was posted to No. 75 Squadron where he would
become a Navigator-Wireless Operator on the de Havilland Mosquito
fighter-bombers.
Tony remained with the squadron through till February 1952, when
he then underwent an instructor’s course at the Air Navigation School at
Wigram. He began instructing at that school in May 1952.
In July 1952 he joined the Devon Ferry Unit, who went to Britain
to ferry one of the new de Havilland Devons to New Zealand for the RNZAF. He
and F/O Innes ferried Devon NZ1806 From Hatfield in England to New Zealand.
This took up July through to September 1952.
More instructing at the ANS followed and then Tony returned to
England for his second Devon Ferry, this time he and F/Lt Jeffs ferried NZ1813
to New Zealand. That took in January to April 1953.
Following a brief return to ANS, Tony then got his original wish
to return to training as a pilot.
He was posted to the Grading School at RNZAF Station Taieri to fly
Tiger Moths, and then the Flying Training School at Wigram on Harvards. On
completing his flying training Tony was selected to become a flying instructor
so did a Central Flying School instructing course, and then from July 1954 he
was instructing at the Flying Training School.
In April 1955 Tony was posted back to the Central Flying School,
now as an instructor, to train pilots how to instruct others. During his time
there he was sent to Australia to undergo a course at the RAAF’s School of
Air/Land Warfare.
In May 1957 Tony was posted to the Fighter Operational Conversion
Unit at Ohakea to undergo a course on flying the Vampire fighter jet.
The following month he joined No. 75 Squadron on the same station,
now flying Vampires operationally. He became a part time member of the FOCU
staff too, training other pilots in between his regular squadron duties.
In January 1958 Tony became one of the first two RNZAF pilots
selected to fly the English Electric Canberra bomber.
They travelled to England and underwent conversion at No. 231
Bomber Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Coningsby. Once he was trained up on
the type Tony began the ferry flight of leased Canberra T.4 WD963 from the UK
out to Tengah, Singapore, where with No. 75 Squadron RNZAF he was involved in
the Malayan Emergency conflict.
In January 1961 Tony became the new commanding officer at the
Central Flying School in Wigram.
When it looked like he would eventually end up in a desk job, he
decided to leave the RNZAF where he moved to Air New Zealand.
There Tony flew the Lockheed Electras, and the Douglas DC-8’s.
https://player.fm/series/the-wings-over-new-zealand-show-30786/wonz-227-alistair-marshall-and-tony-williams
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Flight Navigator Keith Amies
(25.03.1922 - 22.12.2020)
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Captain Keith Trillo
Avro 616 Avian IVM c/n 499
When Keith Trillo was an NAC pilot based at
Rongotai, he kept the Avian in Ivan East's overhaul hangar there, and worked on
the restoration between flying duties (the rebuild incorporated parts from an
earlier Avian IIIA AAF, which last flew in late 1945). After completion, the aircraft was flown in the
lower North Island area (based, I think, at Paraparaumu) until stored in a shed
on his parent's farm near Wanganui when he started work on his Pitts Special
project that became ZK-EEU. There was a scrub burn off on the farm on 23rd
February 1974 that was supposed to be dampened down by the end of that day, but
overnight the embers flared up and the fire spread, and engulfed the shed and
the Avian. “A sad end." In fact Keith Trillo read this page recently and
he contacted me with more information on the aircraft.He told me more details of ZK-ACM's demise during
a phone conversation, so I hope I have got this correct. He said that it was just at the time when NAC was
becoming Air New Zealand, and he was to transfer from Rongotai, Wellington, up
to Mangere, Auckland to continue his career there as an Air New Zealand pilot.
During his move he decided to put his Avian,
ZK-ACM, into storage. His father had passed away in the proceeding year, but
the family still had his father's farm in their possession. Land had been leased however to a crop grower to
keep the farm profitable. Keith had decided to put the Avian into a barn on
the property, where it was safely cocooned away from the elements. His intention was to settle in at his new home of
Auckland, and then fly the Avian up to join him.
However the crop grower who'd leased the land
decided to burn off the left over stubble on the land after the harvest, which
was very dry. The paddock as a north-south facing layout, with the said barn at
the northern end. So some firebreaks were laid down to protect the barn, but
they had not been enough. A southerly wind got up and the fire spread over
the meagre fire break, and the barn ignited. As it was tinder dry and high
summer, the barn was quickly engulfed in flames and the Avian was lost. There
was nothing left. Keith said that at the time it was a big loss to
him personally, but he moved on. However in more recent years he has realised just
what a huge loss it really was, not just to him but to the country, as it was a
very historic aircraft. Here are some photos which were kindly been
supplied by Peter Lewis, the first of which shows the Avian at Mangere prewar,
possibly while in Ted's possession.
https://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Edgar%20Harvie.htm
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Captain Doug McIntyre
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Terry Reed
(16.08.1940 - 12.10.2021)
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Captain Barry Gordon
Barry Gordon piloted the New Zealand’s National Film Unit cameraman during the filming of 'Jetobatics' in 1959
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If you have any copies of 'orders of service' from funerals or suitable photos that should be added to this IN MEMORIAM page please Email us.
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