John Arthur Houlton

Forenames

John Arthur AWMM

Surname

Houlton AWMM

Also known as

Johnnie AWMM

Service number

• WWII NZ413543 AWMM
• WWII 413543 AWMM
• 75069
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 25 September 2025 - By Such Deeds, p.261: Hanson

Gender

Male AWMM

Birth

23 Sept 1922 Cemetery Record

War

• World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
• Regular Military Service AWMM
• Territorial Military Service AWMM

Campaign

• Mediterranean AWMM
• Europe (Air) AWMM

Armed force / branch

Air Force AWMM

Service number

• WWII NZ413543 AWMM
• WWII 413543 AWMM
• 75069
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 25 September 2025 - By Such Deeds, p.261: Hanson

Military service

• Royal Air Force, No. 185 Squadron AWMM
• Royal Air Force, No. 602 Squadron AWMM
• Royal Air Force, No. 274 Squadron AWMM
• Royal Air Force, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron (Spitfire)
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 25 September 2025 - By Such Deeds, p.261: Hanson

Medals and Awards

• Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
• War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
• New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
• Defence Medal
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 25 September 2025 - Internet research
• Africa Star (1942-43 Clasp)
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 25 September 2025 - Internet research
• Aircrew Europe (France and Germany Clasp)
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 25 September 2025 - Internet research
• 1939-45 Star
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 25 September 2025 - Internet research
• WW11 Fighter Ace. Credited with the destruction of 6 German aircraft plus 4 damaged. Post war access to German records indicate that his score may have been 9 destroyed.
  Public - Stoney - Researcher - 6 June 2025 - Hanson C M; By Such Deeds, p261

Embarkation details

WW2 Royal Air Force, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron AWMM Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM

Last rank

WW2 Squadron Leader AWMM

Credited with the first enemy aircraft destroyed over Normandy on D Day. AWMM

Death

16 Apr 1996 Hanson
Age  73 AWMM

Cemetery

North Shore Memorial Park, North Shore, Auckland AWMM Ashes AWMM

Related objects

External links

• Squadron Leader John ‘Johnnie’ Arthur Houlton DFC
  http://www.johnniehoulton.info/
  Further Reference
• 'Awards to N.Z. Airmen', Evening Post, 8 September 1944. Papers Past.
  https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19440908.2.82.2
  Further Reference
• Wikipedia contributors. (2025, November 15). List of World War II aces from New Zealand. In Wikipedia.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_War_II_aces_from_New_Zealand
  Further Reference
• Medals:
  https://www.spink.com/lot/18001000046
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 25 September 2025 - Internet research

References

• Hanson, C. (2001). By such deeds: honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999. Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
• New Zealand, World War II Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Resignations, 1939–1945. [Extracted from the New Zealand Gazette.] CD-ROM. Ravensbourne, Dunedin, New Zealand: Colonial CD Books, n.d.
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] - Historical Items - List of New Zealand Fighter aces with their Scores (Unofficial) December 1944. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845799).
• 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.
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