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Cenotaph record

John Ronald Day

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Lay a poppy
The photo used in the poster is from one of our official negatives. It depicts No. 16 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant J R Day standing on the wing of a P-40 Kittyhawk at Espiritu Santo. Day was a Flight Commander with No. 16 Squadron RNZAF. The only way to know what model the aircraft is that if we could access the 16 Squadron Operational Record Books we might be able to see what aircraft they were using and therefore make a guess what this one is. Having access to our books in the library would help too, but of course, at present the museum is closed. The number ‘5’ on the cowling is a Servicing Unit (SU) number and most likely bears no relation to the aircraft’s serial number. The number could/would have been worn by more than one aircraft as they were swapped around when an aircraft left the SU. The National Library have a copy of the poster digitised here https://natlib.govt.nz/records/29939244. This gives some more information about the poster, but you will note they have some

Nz fights in pacific skies poster

Image may be subject to copyright restrictions. [email protected]

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    John Ronald AWMM
  • Surname
    Day AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    Jack AWMM
  • Service number
    • WWII NZ1292 AWMM
    • WWII 130118 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    24 November 1912 Rudge Invercargill, Southland Rudge
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) (Military) AWMM
      Jan 1946 AWMM
      Citation: "After service as a flying instructor for the first two and a half years of the war, Flight Lieutenant Day was posted to a fighter squadron as flight commander. After completing one tour of operations, Flight Lieutenant Day was, because of his technical knowledge and exceptional flying ability, selected as a test pilot for newly assembled fighter aircraft. The conscientious and capable manner in which Flight Lieutenant Day carried out the duties of test pilot was to a large degree responsible for eliminating possible faults in the aircraft and so contributing greatly to the success of operational squadrons. Throughout his outstanding career as flying instructor, fighter pilot and test pilot, Flight Lieutenant Day has displayed enthusiasm and cheerful devotion to duty and has been an asset to the service." AWMM
    • Air Force Cross (AFC) AWMM
      Jan 1954 AWMM
      "For distinguished service while the Commanding Officer for 4 (Otago) Squadron, Terrirotial Air Force". AWMM
    • Air Efficiency Award AWMM
      May 1954 AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Embarkations

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  • Embarkation details
    Post WW2/Territorial Military Service
    2nd Embarkation AWMM

Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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Death

About death

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  • Death
    31 August 1986 Rudge
    Age 73 AWMM
    Dunedin, Otago Rudge
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

Remember John Ronald Day by laying a poppy.

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    Rudge, C. (2003). Air-to-air : the story behind the air-to-air combat claims of the RNZAF. Lyttelton, N.Z.: Adventure Air. AWMM

Contributors

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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
01 May 2020chrishenderson auckland new zealandOther

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