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| RNZAF No. 1 Squadron Former Assignments No. 8 Squadron  L. Beacon 2011 |
Pilot Flying Officer Ernest R. Lloyd, 4210923 (MIA / KIA, BR) Mount Eden, Auckland Crew Flight Sergeant Arthur Clapham, 438295 (MIA / KIA, BR) Berhampore, Wellington Crew Flight Sergeant Allan J. Hooper, 4212794 (MIA / KIA, BR) Putaruru, Auckland Crew Flight Sergeant Michael T. Newton, 39404 (MIA / KIA, BR) Amberley, Canterbury, Crew Flight Sergeant Gordon R. Stratford, 4314271 (MIA / KIA, BR) Waikuhurau, Hawkes Bay Crashed June 10, 1945 at 8:36am Aircraft History Built by Lockheed as model 237-27-01 in Burbank. Constructors Number 237-6260. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as PV-1 Ventura bureau number 49444. Disassembled and shipped to Oahu then across the Pacific to New Zealand as part of defense aid. Wartime History On April 18, 1944 assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Ventura NZ4609. Reassembled by by Unit 19 at Whenuapai Airfield. By January 1945 assigned to No. 8 Squadron on Guadalcanal. Later, transfered to No. 1 Squadron. No known nickname, nose art or markings. Mission History On June 10, 1945 took off from Emirau Airfield piloted by Flying Officer Ernest R. Lloyd on a mission to search for PV-1 Ventura NZ4613 Missing In Action (MIA) the previous day. At 8:36am over New Ireland, this Ventura was hit by anti-aircraft fire, stalled, crashed and exploded on impact near Rabaulut village and Pau village. When this aircraft failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of the crew were recovered from the crash site. Afterwards, transported to New Caledonia for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, each member of the crew were buried at Bourail War Cemetery. Lloyd at 5, 14. Clapham at 5, 15. Hooper at 5, 16. Newton at 5, 17. Stratford at 5, 18. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - PV-1 Ventura 49444 "49444 (MSN 237-6260) to New Zealand Apr 18, 1944 as NZ4609. Shot down by AAA and crashed Rabulut Plantation, New Guinea Jun 10, 1945. Wreck still extant 1992" ADF Serials - Ventura NZ4609 CWGC - Ernest R. Lloyd CWGC - Arthur Clapham CWGC - Allan J. Hooper CWGC - Michael T. Newton CWGC - Gordon R. Stratford FindAGrave - Ernest Reginald Lloyd (grave photo) FindAGrave - Arthur Clapham (grave photo) FindAGrave - Allan James Hooper (grave photo) FindAGrave - Michael Tazewell Newton (grave photo) FindAGrave - SGT Gordon Russell Stratford (grave photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 29, 2024 |
 PV-1  MIA 5 Missing Resolved |
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