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Cenotaph record

Murray Scofield Aitchison

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Portrait

Fl/Sgt. Murray Scofield Aitchison

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Murray Scofield AWMM
  • Surname
    Aitchison AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    • WWII NZ426088 AWMM
    • WWII 426088 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion
    Presbyterian, Christian AWMM

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    1 November 1914 AWMM Dunedin, Otago AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
  • Post war occupation
    Storeman/Civilian AWMM
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mrs M.S. Aitchison (wife), c/o Mrs M.J. Mann, Woodside, West Taieri, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Married/WWII AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
    Pacific Theatre of War AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Air Force AWMM
  • Service number
    • WWII NZ426088 AWMM
    • WWII 426088 AWMM
  • Military service
    Cadets AWMM
    Cadets (2 years) AWMM
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      MM. New Zealand Gazette 1944. p. 1260 "Blown out of his aircraft when it suffered three hits from heavy anti-aircraft fire while in an aiming dive upon a strongly defended enemy airfield, this pilot, after parachuting to the ground, escaped from Japanese-held territory as a result of his own initiative and determination, and by his brave conduct in the face of grave difficulties, set a fine example. Flight Sergeant Aitchison landed within one mile of a Japanese aerodrome, but by travelling carefully, husbanding his strength, making the maximum use of cover and putting to best advantage the few facilities at his disposal, he succeeded after two days and one night in reaching a river, down which he floated in his rubber dinghy. This journey, made by night down a swift-flowing river, was hazardous in the extreme, as the pilot was tipped from his frail craft on several occasions, and throughout faced the imminent danger of detection by enemy patrols. He reached the sea and then paddled, on and off, for three nights and two days, against adverse currents, and was finally picked up by an Allied gunboat. Flight Sergeant Aitchison's escape from enemy territory followed a tour of duty marked by exceptional determination and devotion to duty.' Awarded on 10 August 1944. AWMM
    • 1939-1945 Star AWMM
    • Pacific Star AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      26 September 1944 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
    • Height, Unknown Period AWMM
      5 feet 11 inches AWMM
    • Hair colour, Unknown Period AWMM
      Dark Brown AWMM
    • Eye colour, Unknown Period AWMM
      Blue AWMM
    • Complexion, Unknown Period AWMM
      Fresh AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • The MM was the first awarded to a serving RNZAF member. Member of the Caterpillar and Gold Fish Clubs. C Hanson By Such Deeds Page 52

    Ranks : AC2 30.5.42

    LAC 26.11.42

    Sergeant (temp) 2.7.43

    Flight Sergeant 2.1.44

    Pilot Officer 1.8.44 (temp Commission)

    Awarded Flying Badge 10.5.43 AWMM

Death

About death

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  • Death
    30 September 1999 AWMM
    Age 84 AWMM
    Dunedin, Otago AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    West Tairei Cemetery, Woodside, Taieri Valley, Otago AWMM Plot 61, Block AB1 AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
    Death notice: Otago Daily Times AWMM
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

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Sources

Sources

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Contributors

Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
03 June 2022KelvinNorfolk, EnglandResearcher

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