condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white

Cenotaph record

Sholto Russell Duncan

-
Lay a poppy
Own research

Area of loss

No known copyright restrictions.

Identity

About

Contribute ›
  • Title
  • Forenames
    Sholto Russell AWMM
  • Surname
    Duncan AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    • WWII NZ1307 AWMM
    • WWII 130323 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

Contribute ›
  • Birth
    19 April 1912 AWMM Nelson, Tasman AWMM
  • 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

Contribute ›

Military decorations

Contribute ›
  • Medals and Awards
    • Air Medal (USA) AWMM
      8 October 1943 AWMM
      Citation: "For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as member of a flight group in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area from 2nd May to 2nd June 1943. Flight Lieutenant Duncan took part in numerous escort bomber missions, routine patrols, task force covers and one strafing attack, frequently in the face of concentrated anti-aircraft fire. On one occassion, after intercepting an enemy fighter, he goggedly pursued his target and, closing in dead astern to 50 yards, opened fire. In the ensuing action his deadly stream of fire severed the tail section of the Zero and sent the japanese aircraft crashing into the sea. His skillful airmanship and determined fighting spirit contributed materially to the success of vital missions." AWMM
    • Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
      22 February 1944 AWMM
      Citation: " In recognition of distinguished service and devotion to duty. Flight Lieutenant Duncan has throughout two strenuous tours of duty been a flight commander and has shown outstanding courage and ability. He has destroyed one enemy aircraft and successfully engaged in the destruction of enemy barges, during the course of 70 sorties." AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

Contribute ›
  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 5 December 1939 AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Prisoner of war

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

Medical history

Contribute ›
  • Medical notes
    Killed on Air Operations, Cause of Death AWMM
    On 15 October 1953, Duncan's De Havilland Devon (NZ1811) collided with another Devon (NZ1810) over Wigram aerodrome following a 27 aircraft flypast over Harewood International Airport marking the London-Christchurch Air Race prize giving. AWMM

Last known rank

Contribute ›

Biographical information

Biographical information

Contribute ›
  • Soloman Islands campaign, Royal New Zealand Air Force, 15 Squadron, 20 Squadron and 1 Islands Group. Died in a Devon aircraft (NZ1811) accidental collision with another Devon when they were preparing to land at Wigram Aerodrome shortly before 4pm on October 15, 1953.

    Duncan was a well known and decorated war veteran, having flown fighter aircraft in the Pacific during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. AWMM

Death

About death

Contribute ›
  • Death
    15 October 1953 AWMM
    Age 41 AWMM
    Wigram, Christchurch AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
    Killed on Air Operations AWMM
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson, Tasman AWMM Returned Servicemen Area, Block 1, Plot 59 AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

Contribute ›
  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

Remember Sholto Russell Duncan by laying a poppy.

Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Sholto Russell Duncan

Leave a note

Contribute ›
  • Crew - NZ1811:
    Pilot: Fl/Lt. Erling William Ziesler 70147 RNZAF Age 30. Killed
    Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Sholto Russell Duncan MiD. AM (US). 130323 TAF Age 41. Killed
    Engine Fitter: AC1. William Henry Sharman 76121 RNZAF Age 33. Killed
    Radio Mechanic: AC2. Russell Woodcock 75331 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

    Crew NZ1810:
    Pilot: Fl/Lt. Edwin Pattison Booth Ebbett AFC. 70098 RNZAF Age 39. Killed
    Airframe Assistant: AC1. Brian James Keogh 920969 TAF Age 21. Killed
    Engine Assistant: AC1. Eric Melrose 920454 TAF Age 21. Killed Killed
    Public - Kelvin - Researcher - 7 October 2022
    Report 
  • Crew - NZ1811:
    Pilot: Fl/Lt. Erling William Ziesler 70147 RNZAF Age 30. Killed
    Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Sholto Russell Duncan MiD. AM (US). 130323 TAF Age 41. Killed
    Engine Fitter: AC1. William Henry Sharman 76121 RNZAF Age 33. Killed
    Radio Mechanic: AC2. Russell Woodcock 75331 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

    Crew NZ1810:
    Pilot: Fl/Lt. Edwin Pattison Booth Ebbett AFC. 70098 RNZAF Age 39. Killed
    Airframe Assistant: AC1. Brian James Keogh 920969 TAF Age 21. Killed
    Engine Assistant: AC1. Eric Melrose 920454 TAF Age 21. Killed Killed
    Public - Kelvin - Researcher - 7 October 2022
    Report 

Sources

Sources

Contribute ›
  • External links
    Report on the mid-air collision:
    http://www.aircrewremembered.com/ziesler-erling-william.html Public - Kelvin - Researcher - 7 October 2022 - http://www.aircrewremembered.com/ziesler-erling-william.html
  • 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

Command item
Command item
Add new record Refresh
DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
07 October 2022KelvinNorfolk, EnglandResearcher

The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

Creative Commons LicenseOnline Cenotaph Data by Auckland War Memorial Museum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.