James Gillespie Neilson

Forenames

James Gillespie AWMM

Surname

Neilson AWMM

Service number

• NZ40423 AWMM
• WWII 40423 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Birth

24 Aug 1913 RNZAF Biographies (R17845614)

Next of kin

WW2 Parents: Mr & Mrs. J. Neilson of Fielding AWMM

Relationship status

Single/WWII AWMM

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Armed force / branch

Air Force AWMM

Service number

• NZ40423 AWMM
• WWII 40423 AWMM

Military service

Royal Air Force, No. 1657 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) (Stirling)

Public - Antonio - Researcher - 28 January 2026 - By Such Deeds, p.365: Hanson

Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Royal Air Force, No. 218 Squadron AWMM

Medals and Awards

• Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
• War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
• New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Branch Trade Proficiency

Pilot

Public - Antonio - Researcher - 28 January 2026 - By Such Deeds, p.365: Hanson

Medical notes

Killed on Active Service, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

Flight Lieutenant/Military AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 1657 Heavy Conversion Unit AWMM

• James Neilson was the son of John and Rachel Lawson Neilson, of Feilding, Wellington, New Zealand.
  
  Attended Palmerston North Boy's High School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845614)) AWMM
• DFC awarded: 13th May 1943
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 28 January 2026 - By Such Deeds, p.365: Hanson

Death

20 Jan 1944 AWMM
Age  30 AWMM

Cause of death

Killed on Active Service AWMM

Cemetery

Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire, England AWMM Grave 14515. AWMM

Memorial name

Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM

Related objects

External links

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2651401
  Sources Used
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ue - Z. Archives New Zealand (R17845617)
  https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845614
  Sources Used
• List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. Archives New Zealand (R17845748)
  https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845748
  Sources Used

References

• Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Na - Py. Archives New Zealand (R17845614) - Former archives reference: AIR118
• 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 - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [List of Killed - Officers (Canada, Pacific, Europe) - Airmen (Canada, India and Far East)]. Archives New Zealand (R17845748)
• 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.
  V3,n6,p75
• Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.