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

Cenotaph record

Walter Jack Runciman

-
Lay a poppy

Identity

About

Contribute ›
  • Title
  • Forenames
    Walter Jack AWMM
  • Surname
    Runciman AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    Wally AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII NZ403991 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

Contribute ›
  • Birth
    22 October 1920 AWMM Auckland City, Auckland 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
    • Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) AWMM
      26 June 1942 AWMM
      Flt. Sgt. Runciman, as captain of a Stirling aircraft, has consistently pressed home his attacks and has displayed great still in flying his aircraft to base despite damage sustained. On the night of April 23rd, 1942, whilst over Denmark, he was attacked by two enemy fighters and his aircraft was so severely damaged that the crew prepared for a crash landing. In, spite of a long sea crossing, Flt. Sgt. Runciman decided to attempt to reach his base and did so successfully. By this time he had practically no aileron control ordering his crew to abandon the aircraft, he then landed it successfully. Flt. Sgt. Runciman has displayed outstanding skill, courage and determination. London Gazette 26 Jun 1942 (2819) - DFM as a pilot with 7 Squadron (Stirlings). AWMM
    • Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
      14 January 1944 AWMM
      MiD for bravery with 487 (RNZAF) Squadron Mosquitos London Gazette 14 Jan 1944 (291) AWMM
    • Air Force Cross (AFC) AWMM
      13 June 1946 AWMM
      AFC as pilot and flight commander with 168 HCU (Lancasters) London Gazette 13 Jun 1946 (2816) AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

Contribute ›

Embarkations

Contribute ›

Prisoner of war

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

Medical history

Contribute ›
  • Medical notes
    9 June 1956 AWMMKilled in Air Accident, Cause of Death AWMM
    Killed while flying the Seamew at the RAFA display at Belfast AWMM

Last known rank

Contribute ›

Biographical information

Biographical information

Contribute ›
  • Runciman was a draughtsman when he enlisted in the RNZAF in October 1940. He transferred to the RAF in July 1947 and served until 1952. On leaving the RAF he joined the Short Brothers as a test pilot. He was killed giving a demonstration flight of a Short Seamew at an air display at Sydenham, Belfast. AWMM

Death

About death

Contribute ›
  • Death
    9 June 1956 AWMM
    Belfast, Northern Ireland AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
    Killed in Air Accident AWMM
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

Contribute ›
  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

Remember Walter Jack Runciman by laying a poppy.

Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Walter Jack Runciman

Leave a note

Contribute ›

Sources

Sources

Contribute ›
  • External links
    Wikipedia Page: Short Seamew
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Seamew
    Further Reference
  • References
    • Sutherland, J. (1989). Gallantry awards to New Zealanders in World War Two. Christchurch, N.Z.: Regal Medals. AWMM
    • Thompson, H. (1956). New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force (Vols. 1-3). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
    • List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - Embarkation Lists, November 1940 - July 1942. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845762). AWMM

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.