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Cenotaph record

Leonard Chambers

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Portrait of Flying Officer Leonard Chambers(s/n NZ403758) in uniform. Image kindly provided by Michael Chambers. Image may be subject to copyright restrictions

Portrait of Flying Officer Leonard Chambers(s/n NZ403758) in uniform. Image kindly provided by Micha …

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Leonard AWMM
  • Surname
    Chambers AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    • Len AWMM
    • Lennie AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII NZ403758 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi
  • Hapū
  • Waka
  • Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    18 February 1919 AWMM Karamea, North-west Nelson 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

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
    28 May 1943 AWMM
    Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (Imm)(27 May 1943): [617 Sqn RAF (Lancaster)] On the night of 16th May, 1943, a force of Lancaster bombers was detailed to attack the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe Dams in Germany. The operation was one of great difficulty and hazard, demanding a high degree of skill and courage and close co-operation between the crews of the aircraft engaged. Nevertheless, a telling blow was struck at the enemy by the successful breaching of the Mohne and Eder dams. This outstanding success reflects great credit on the efforts of the personnel who participated in the operations in various capacites as members of the aircraft crew. 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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    • Brother of Eddie, Max, Ron, Noel and sisters May, Dawn, Rosie and Winnie.

      Leonard was trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in Canada on route to the UK for service with the RAF on 75 (NZ) Sqn, 460 Sqn RAAF and 617 Sqn (Dambusters). (Source: Hanson, p.120)

      In 1944 returned to Canada and retrained as a Pilot and returned to New Zealand (Source: Hanson, p.120)

      He had three daughters; Sue, Sheila and Kaye (Source: Chambers family) AWMM
    • Len had 4 daughters . Danny was the other Public - Michael - Direct descendant - 3 November 2016 - Family told me ( dad is Lens brother
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    1 March 1985 Hanson
    Age 66 AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Karamea Cemetery, Karamea, Buller, West Coast AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Leave a tribute or memory of Leonard Chambers

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  • I was len's nephew 's best friend , stuart chambers before he passed at a young age and was always fascinated by the story of the brave men of the dambuster raid and bomber command, an ongoing inspiration to all of us. Lest we forget. Steve ware.
    Public - Stephen peter - 1 June 2020
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Sources

Sources

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Contributors

Command item
Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
01 June 2020Stephen peterNorth tamborineOther
03 November 2016Michael AucklandDirect descendant

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