Donald Arthur Adams

Forenames

Donald Arthur AWMM

Surname

Adams AWMM

Service number

• NZ41859 AWMM
• WWII 41859 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Birth

11 Sept 1918 RNZAF Biographies (R17845607)

Date of birth

11 September 1918

Public - Paul - Researcher - 7 November 2020 - Volume III, For Your Tomorrow by Errol Martyn, p.57.

Place of birth

Auckland, New Zealand

Public - Paul - Researcher - 7 November 2020 - Volume III, For Your Tomorrow by Errol Martyn, p.57.

Next of kin

• Mrs F.M. Adams, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
• WW2 Mother: Mrs F. N. Adams, 35 Dedwood Terrace, Ponsonby, Auckland AWMM

Relationship status

Single/WWII AWMM

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Campaign

North Africa AWMM

Armed force / branch

Air Force AWMM

Service number

• NZ41859 AWMM
• WWII 41859 AWMM

Military service

Royal Air Force, No. 40 Squadron (Wellington)

Public - Antonio - Researcher - 17 August 2026 - https://www.aircrewremembered.com/steel-freeman-jesse.html

Medals and Awards

• Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
• War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
• New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Embarkation details

WW2 Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM

Medical notes

Killed on Active Service, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

Flying Officer/Military RNZAF Biographies (R17845607)
Royal Air Force, No. 40 Squadron RNZAF Biographies (R17845607)

Donald Adams was the son of Cecil Walter Adams and of Florence Mary Adams (nee Jordan), of Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand.

Attended Auckland Grammar School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845607))

372 hours as Pilot (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845607)) AWMM

Death

26 Sept 1942 AWMM
Age  24 AWMM

Cause of death

Killed on Active Service AWMM

Memorial name

• Alamein Memorial, El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt AWMM
• Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
• Auckland Grammar School War Memorial, New Zealand AWMM
• Hamilton Memorial Park, Memorial Drive, Hamilton East, 3216 AWMM

Related objects

External links

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1535710
  Sources Used
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ab - B. Archives New Zealand (R17845607).
  https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845607
  Sources Used
• Aircrew Remembered - HF846:
  https://aircrewremembered.com/langham-gerald-fitzgerald.html
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 17 August 2026 - Internet research
• Aircrew Remembered - HX373:
  https://www.aircrewremembered.com/steel-freeman-jesse.html
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 17 August 2026 - Internet research

References

• Auckland Grammar School Chronicle. Auckland, N.Z.: Auckland Grammar School.
• Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
• Auckland Grammar School Chronicle. Auckland, N.Z.: Auckland Grammar School.
  Auckland Grammar School chronicle. 1943. portrait
• Connolly, A., & Stanes, P. Rememberance: Auckland Grammar School Great War Roll of Honour. Vols 1 & 2. Auckland: Petand Prodctions.
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ab - B. Archives New Zealand (R17845607) - Former archives reference: AIR118
• List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [Missing - But Presumed Dead on Lapse of Time - Officers, Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845743)
• Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
• List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - Embarkation Lists, November 1940 - July 1942. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845762).
• Royal New Zealand Air Force. (1941–1945). Contact: National magazine of the R.N.Z.A.F.; the official organ of the Air Force Association (Inc.). Levin, New Zealand: Royal New Zealand Air Force.
  V4,n4,p10 v4,n5,p51, V4,n1,p76
• Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.