William Ralph McComb
Born 10 May 1912 - Died 26 Jan 1940
- Service number
- WWII NZ40241 AWMM
- Also known as
- Bill AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Last rank
- Pilot Officer AWMM Royal Air Force, No. Bomber Command, 102 Squadron AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 10 May 1912 AWMM Auckland AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
- —
- Address before enlistment
- WW2 93 East Tamaki Rd, Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- WW2 Ralph McComb (father), 93 East Tamaki Rd, Papatoetoe, New Zealand AWMM
- WW2 Father: Mr. R. McComb, East Tamaki Road, Papatoetoe AWMM
- WW2 Parents: Mr. & Mrs. R. McComb of Papatoetoe AWMM
- Relationship status
- Single/WWII AWMM
- Pre 01 Jul 1937 AWMM Single/WWII AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Service number
- WWII NZ40241 AWMM
- Military service
- Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with Royal Engineers, Territorial Forces prior to WWII. AWMM
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- —
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
- —
- Enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM
Age 27 AWMM
Carpenter/Civilian AWMM - Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
- —
Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- Inter War Pilot Officer AWMM Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
- —
- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Height, Unknown Period AWMM
5 feet 11 inches AWMM - Hair colour, Unknown Period AWMM
Fair AWMM - Eye colour, Unknown Period AWMM
Blue AWMM - Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
Admitted to York Hospital suffering from suspected meningitis (cerebro-spinal), 24 January 1940 AWMM - Died of Disease, Cause of Death AWMM
Meningitis AWMM
- Height, Unknown Period AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Pilot Officer AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. Bomber Command, 102 Squadron AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Pilot Officer McComb was the son of Ralph and Marian McComb, of Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand. Family lived on Waiheke Island He was raised Presbyterian and attended Auckland Grammar School, where he matriculated.
In 1937, Pilot Officer McComb was one of 300 New Zealanders to apply for the RAF 4-Year Short Service Commission. He was one of 18 to be selected. He left for England in July 1937.
On 24 January 1940, Pilot Officer McComb was found wandering in the corridor near his quarters in a delirium, suffering from great head and neck pain. He was taken to York Hospital, where he was diagnosed with cerebro-spinal meningitis. He died two days later.
McComb was due to be discharged from RAF service in 1941.
Attended Auckland Grammar School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845613)) AWMM
About death
- Death
- 26 Jan 1940 AWMM
Age 27 AWMM
York AWMM - Date of death
- —
- Age at death
- —
- Place of death
- —
- Cause of death
- Died of Disease AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Driffield Cemetery, Yorkshire, England AWMM Grave 6125 AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
- —
- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
- Auckland Grammar School War Memorial, New Zealand AWMM
- Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
Related objects
Sources
- External links
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2407706
Further Reference - RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ma - McW. Archives New Zealand (R17845613)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845613
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 (R17845744)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845744
Sources Used
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
- References
- Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
- Information kindly provided by family
Cenotaph data entry form - Information kindly provided by family
- RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ma - McW. Archives New Zealand (R17845613) - 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. [(New Zealanders Attached to R.A.F. [Royal Air Force]) (Officers), (Europe) - Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845744)
- List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Deceased New Zealanders (Formerly) serving with RAF [Royal Air Force]. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845760).
- Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
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