Gray Stenborg
Born 13 Oct 1921 - Died 24 Sept 1943
- Service number
- NZ402494 AWMM
- WWII 402494 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Last rank
- Flight Lieutenant/Military AWMM Royal Air Force, No. 91 Squadron AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
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- Forenames
- Gray AWMM
- Surname
- Stenborg AWMM
- Ingoa
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- Also known as
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- Service number
- NZ402494 AWMM
- WWII 402494 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
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- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 13 Oct 1921 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
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- Post war occupation
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- Next of kin
- WW2 Parents: Mr & Mrs G. Stenborg, 59 St. Stephens Avenue, Parnell, Auckland AWMM
- Relationship status
- Single/WWII AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- Europe (Air) AWMM
- Europe (Air) AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Service number
- NZ402494 AWMM
- WWII 402494 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
DFC awarded in July 1942. AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
- British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, No. 32 Service Flying Training School, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada AWMM
Course 1: Class 19. Graduation Date: 8/08/1941. AWMM - British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, No. 37 Service Flying Training School, Calgary, Alberta, Canada AWMM
- British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, No. 32 Service Flying Training School, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada AWMM
- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Jul 1940 AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Vessel was Awatea AWMM Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Flight Lieutenant/Military AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 91 Squadron AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Gray Stenborg was the son of Mr Gunnar Stenborg and Mrs Ruby Amelia Stenborg (nee Moore) of 6 King Edward Parade, Devonport.
Attended King's College where he was with Parnell House between 1936-37 and 1939-40.
Gray left College to join the Air Force at the age of 18 years and went to Canada in April 1941 where he gained his commission in November of the same year. His first posting for active service was with the Z Fighter squadron in England and later to the Night Fighter Spitfire Squadron with the Malta Defences. While flying a Spitfire at Malta he was shot down and killed.
This is a copy of a letter "Proud to Die" written by Gray Stenborg: "I am going to try and give you a brief resume of my doings since leaving New Zealand" wrote the late Flying-Officer Gray Stenborg, DFC, from Malta before his death on active service. "As you may imagine, when we pulled away from the wharf, not having expected to leave just then, and without having said goodbye I got quite a shock. However the next day all was right again. I look back on that trip as a wonderful event in my life; we had such fun, and we all thought what a wonderful thing this war was after all. As you already know we trained on Harvards at Moose Jaw, sixty - eight of us, all New Zealanders, and what a marvellous time we had. I look back on how hard we worked in the classroom, and how I concentrated to try and fly as well as my instructor, Flying Officer Bell was his name, and he had fought in France and Britain. He was a bomber pilot. I owe all my success in the air to him, in fact I owe my life to some of the evasive tactics that he taught me. Then at last WINGS! Can you imagine that day ! Poor Dave was so miserable as he waved goodbye on the train. It was with great sorrow that I had to leave Dave.
More training in Scotland with ice skating for relaxation. Hurray at last I'm posted to 485 Squadron! I recall how I next met Dave in London and what a great time we had together.
Flying and war are 'just what the doctor ordered'. On April 25th I did my first real bit of work, first time over enemy territory and I saw one of our bombers shot down in front of my nose. Well during that run as you know I shot down four German fighters, but war, to me, was not such fun as before
Next the trip to Gibraltar. I was scared we would be sunk by a submarine, but survived OK and had a glorious six days. Then off we went on the British Aircraft carrier "Eagle" (torpedoed on the ___ trip). We flew the last seven hundred miles in a Spitfire, and arrived at __.
Well here I am. War is no longer a 'good thing': it is a horror. Flying on this island is not enjoyable, it scares one to death. As you know I have shot down four Messerschmitt 109F's here and have been awarded the DFC. Yes I am now a Spitfire Ace, and I can hold my own more, but my greatest desire, which increases with the days is to return to my home in New Zealand.
I am not at all pessimistic about this but even the very best of British pilots die here and so, if I happen to be 'one of the good who die young' - always remember that I am proud and happy to die in such a heroes' island and in such a good cause.
It looks as if my end were coming close. I have had more shaves than I dare to think of, and three days ago, on 17 August 1942, topped them off. I led my section of four Spitfires up after some 109's. Two of the boys had to return for engine trouble etc. Well, the two of us that were left attacked twelve or more Messerschmitt 109F's. I blew one of them to pieces and the next instant chunks flew off my wing and the whole plane started shaking and shuddering all over. It went into a steep dive with smoke pouring from the cockpit. I was completely out of control: my tail must have shot away. "This is it!" I thought when I found I couldn't get the hood off. Anyhow is sheer desperation I banged it off somehow, and undid my straps. The next thing I knew was myself flying through the air, so I pulled the rip cord and made a safe landing in the sea - about 5 miles out. I got all tangled up in the harness and shrouds, but - half drowned - succeded in inflating my dinghy. I was picked up by the rescue launch shortly afterwards. All my injuries are bruises and scratches over my left eye. Wow ! Was I lucky or was I Lucky? For your interest my bag is
4 F.W 190's destroyed over France
6 Me. 109's destroyed over Malta
1 ME damaged over Malta
1 JU88 damaged over Malta.
Remembered on the Takapuna War Memorial, The Strand, Takapuna.
WWII Fighter Ace, credited with the destruction of 14 German aircraft and three damaged whilst servicing on Spitfires with 111 Squadron in England. Member of the Caterpillar and Goldfish Clubs;
Attended Kings College Otahuhu (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845616))
735 hours as Pilot (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845616)) AWMM - I found these photos of Gray in my late mother’s photo albumPublic - Judith - Other relative - 21 October 2018 - Family history
- Gray Stenborg was the son of Mr Gunnar Stenborg and Mrs Ruby Amelia Stenborg (nee Moore) of 6 King Edward Parade, Devonport.
About death
- Death
- 24 Sept 1943 AWMM
Age 21 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
- Over Poix FrancePublic - Geoff - Researcher - 28 March 2026 - Griffon Spitfire Aces by Andrew Thomas
Osprey Puplishing 2008
Spitfire The New Zealand Story 2000 - Cause of death
- Killed in Action AWMM
- Death notes
- Gray Stenborg was killed in combat with FW190s on 23/09/43 over Poix in France not over Malta as some sourses state.Public - Geoff - Researcher - 28 March 2026 - Griffon Spitfire Aces by Andrew Thomas
Osprey Puplishing 2008
Spitfire The New Zealand Story 2000 - Cemetery
- Marissel French National Cemetery, Oise, France AWMM Grave 205 AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
- Takapuna War Memorial, The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Howick and Pakuranga War Memorial, Stockade Hill, Howick, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- King's College Golf Ave, Otahuhu, Auckland 1062 AWMM
- Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
Related objects
Sources
- External links
- New Zealand History online: Takapuna War Memorial
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/takapuna-war-memorial
Further Reference - Ministry for Culture and Heritage Howick & Pakuranga War Memorial
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/howick-first-world-war-memorial
Further Reference - Ministry for Culture and Heritage, New Zealand History online. Howick & Pakuranga War Memorial.
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/howick-first-world-war-memorial
Further Reference - Howick Roll of Honour Index, Auckland Council Archives
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/CityArchives/FamilyHistory/HBC003/searchhowick.htm
Further Reference - 'D.F.C Awarded' New Zealand Herald, 24 July 1942
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19420724.2.48
Further Reference - 'Malta Dogfights' Auckland Star, 17 September 1944
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19420917.2.35
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2234408
Sources Used - RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Na - Py. Archives New Zealand (R17845614)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845616
Sources Used - 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
- New Zealand History online: Takapuna War Memorial
- References
- Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
- 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.
- Hanson, C. (2001). By such deeds: honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999. Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
p. 457 - Information kindly provided by family
- RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Sm- Ty. Archives New Zealand (R17845616) - Former archives reference: AIR118
- List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [Missing - But Presumed Dead on Lapse of Time - Officers, Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845743)
- Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
- 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.
V7,n5,p16 - Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
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