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Cenotaph record

James Edward Mortimer

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Flying Officer James Edward Mortimer, of Auckland, missing on operations. Image kindly provided by Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19431208-20-28.

Flying Officer James Edward Mortimer, of Auckland, missing on operations. Image kindly provided by …

No Known Copyright Restrictions AWMM

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    James Edward AWMM
  • Surname
    Mortimer AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    • WWII 412259 AWMM
    • WWII NZ412259 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    12 July 1916 AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
  • Post war occupation
    Warehouseman/Civilian AWMM
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mr Edward Mortimer (father), Herne Bay, Auckland AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
      1945 AWMM
      " Flight Lieutenant Mortimer has completed a large number of successful operational sorties. During the Battle of Malta he destroyed three enemy aircraft and by his courage and fine example materially contributed to the defeat of the enemy. In May 1943, Flight Lieutenant Mortimer commenced a second tour of operational duty and in October 1943, while flying on a patrol over France, two FW 190s attacked his aircraft. In the ensuing engagement he probably destroyed one of the attackers and damaged the other, but his own aircraft was so badly damaged that it was forced down on to the sea. The aircraft sank immediately but Flight Lieutenant Mortimer managed to free himself and inflate his dinghy. The dinghy went ashore on enemy occupied territory. This officer evaded capture for nearly a year when he was able to return to this country. Throughout this harassing experience he displayed great resolution and unfailing courage in the face of great odds." Hanson AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Warehouseman/Civilian AWMM
    AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

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
    15 October 1942 AWMMWounds Diseases Etc., WWII AWMM
    Wounded in Malta AWMM

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Cenotaph database record compiled from information in the Cemetery record

    Member of the 'Goldfish' and 'Late Arrivals' clubs.

    Shot down and evaded capture in France - October 1943 - September 1944, with the assistance of the Resistance. (By Such Deeds). AWMM

Death

About death

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  • Death
    16 December 1997 AWMM
    Age 81 AWMM
    Helensville, Auckland Province AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Waikumete Cemetery, Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand 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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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
    • Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press. AWMM
      p. 595, ref. 69 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
      p. 358 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
      vol. 3, p. 157, vol. 2, p.198. AWMM
    • List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - Embarkation Lists, November 1940 - July 1942. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845762). AWMM

Contributors

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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
19 April 2021KelvinNorfolk, EnglandResearcher

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