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Cenotaph record

Robert Gordon McSporran

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Photograph of Robert McSporran in uniform. Image kindly provided by Keith McSporran (May 2023).

Photograph of Robert McSporran in uniform. Image kindly provided by Keith McSporran (May 2023).

All Rights Reserved AWMM

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Robert Gordon AWMM
  • Surname
    McSporran AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    • WWII 415543 AWMM
    • WWII NZ415543 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    5 May 1917 Hanson Kohekohe, Waiuku Hanson
  • 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
    • Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
      20 April 1945 "Exceptional courage, fortitude and devotion to duty have been displayed in the face of the enemy on many occasions by Warrant Officer McSporran a wireless operator-air gunner who has completed three tours of operations in the Pacific. Since his first tour began in November, 1942, he has flown 171 sorties totalling 748 operational hours, and his service has been in accordance with the highest traditions of Service. Flying from Guadalcanal early in 1943 Warrant Officer McSporran on many occasions undertook missions in reconnaissance aircraft operating singly and unescorted, within short distance of powerful enemy bases, under the constant threat of fighter attack. More recently he has been a member of a crew that has successfully completed 14 strikes against enemy land targets, and a series of patrols and searches in unfavourable conditions. Throughout his operational service he has set a particularly high standard." Hanson, p. 344 AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Embarkations

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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
    16 March 2012 Obituary
    Age 94 AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
    New Zealand Herald, 19 March 2012
    McSPORRAN, Robert Gordon. DFC. On 16 March, 2012; Aged 94 years. Beloved and devoted husband of Audrey for 65 years, much loved father of Keith and Lynda, father-in-law of Carol, cherished Poppa of Nikita and Petra; Joanne and Gabrielle and great-poppa of Brooke and Quinn. AWMM
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • This record is a work in progress and was partially compiled from the “Database of New Zealand Airmen who took part in Advanced Air Training in Canada during WW2”. Researched by Ivan and Lorna Lindsey of Tauranga. N.Z. 2003 – 2012. Reproduced with permission. AWMM
    • Hanson, C. (2001). By such deeds: honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999. Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press. AWMM
    • List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - Embarkation Lists, November 1940 - July 1942. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845762). AWMM

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