British & Commonwealth officers  |  RNZNR  |  home

Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR) Officers
1940-1945

Looking for details on a RNZNVR officer not listed here yet?
Just e-mail me, and I might be able to help out.
Of course, any additions, corrections etc. can also be e-mailed.

Note. In naval circles it is custom to refer to the commander of a vessel as Captain. The Navy List bears the phrase "in command". Strictly out of 
practical considerations CO (Commanding Officer) is used here on this site. More explanation & other abbreviations can be found at the help page
 
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

A    

top

Armstrong,
Kingsley Cooper
K.C. Armstrong
Married; at least one daughter.
?
-
T/S.Lt.
?
T/Lt.
01.04.1943 (reld > 04.1946)
1942?


joined RNZNVR
(10.1944)
 
 
no appointment listed
(07.01945)
 
 
no appointment listed
(04.1946)


HMNZS Cook *
* indexed, but not listed as such
       

B    

top

BLack,
Donald Palmer
D.P. Black
Son of James Palmer Black (died 1955), and Constance Olive Newport (1884-1955).
Married Valerie Madge Kirk; one son.
?
-
T/S.Lt.
30.10.1942
T/A/Lt.
< 10.1944
12.01.1943
-
(10.1943)
HMS Bayntun (frigate)
(10.1944)
 
 
no appointment listed
(07.1945)
 
 
no appointment listed
(04.1946)
 
 
no appointment listed
Braithwaite,
Stanley Norman
S.N. Braithwaite
Married Margaret... (died 29.05.1972).
?
-
08.05.1971
Ord.Sea.
07.1941
T/S.Lt.
09.10.1942
T/Lt.
09.10.1943 (reld > 04.1946)
Education: Graduated from Auckland University, and Victoria University, Wellington, N.Z. receiving a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, and A Master of Commerce with First Class Honors in 1939
Prior to entering the Navy, held positions in the Department of Industries and Commerce, Wellington, N.Z.
07.1941


joined RNZNVR
07.1941?
-
02.05.1942
HMS Edinburgh (cruiser) [ship sunk]
(05?).1942
-
08.1943
served on Motor Launches (East Coast of England)
08.1943
-
1945
served on Motor Launches (Mediterranean)
(07.1945)


no appointment listed (returned to UK for passage to New Zealnd on Foreign Service Leave)
(04.1946)


no appointment listed
Later became a senior official of the U.N. in Santiago, Chile.
Buchan,
Alan William
A.W. Buchan
Married (1944, Scotland) Evelyn Gordon Findlay from Motherwell, Scotland.
c. 1915
Dunedin ?
-
T/Lt.
29.01.1943 (reld < 04.1946)
(07.1945)


HMS Willow (trawler) *
* indexed, but not listed as such
       

C    

top

Cheyne,
Robert Alexander Charles
R.A.C. Cheyne
09.12.1916
Wellington, NZ
-
1994

Wellington, NZ
T/A/Lt.
11.12.1942
Lt.Cdr. RNZN
24.10.1946 (retd < 01.1956)
Chemist.
1941
-
1942
RN Coastal Forces
03.1945
-
?
Director of Naval Intelligence, Navy Office, Wellington, NZ
(07.1945)
-
(04.1946)
no appointment listed
24.10.1946


transferred to RNZN
24.10.1946
-
(05.1953)
Navy Office, Wellington [HMNZS Philomel, from c. 1949 HMNZS Philomel II]
(04.1955)


Navy Office, Wellington [HMNZS Wakefield] * 
* indexed, but not listed as such [also indicated as ADC]
Clark,
Kenneth Inman Carr

K.I.C. Clark (Photo courtesy of Mr Tim Hutchinson)
?
-
T/A/S.Lt.
?
T/S.Lt.
05.11.1944 (reld > 04.1946)
Mention in Despatches MID
11.12.1945
wind up Europe 45
04.06.1944
-
(04.1946)
HM LST 214 (landing ship, tank) (Normandy)
 
Close,
Devon Ormond
D.O. Close
?
-
T/S.Lt.
19.11.1944
17.04.1945
-
(07.1945)
HM ML 182 (motor launch)
(04.1946)


HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) *
* indexed, but not listed as such
       

D    

top

Drake,
Walter Charles
W.C. Drake
Only son of five children of Walter Francis Drake (1884-1947), and Olive Elizabeth Beard (1884-1971).
Married (11.08.1943, Epwich, Suffolk) Irene E. Glatwell (born 16.03.1919); one daughter, two sons.
04.03.1919
Christchurch, Canterbury, NZ
-
T/S.Lt.
14.08.1941
T/Lt.
14.02.1944 (reld 28.10.1945)
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
01.08.1944
34 minelaying operations Nore Command [investiture 07.11.44]
09.08.1940


enlisted under Scheme B
06.09.1941
-
27.09.1941
MTB training, HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces base, Fort William)
28.09.1941
-
07.1942
HMS Midge (Coastal Forces base, Great Yarmouth) (for motor launches)
07.1942
-
(02.)1943
HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe) (for motor launch duties)
15.03.1943
-
10.1943
Commanding Officer, HM ML 106 (motor launch) [HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe)]
29.10.1943
-
(12.1943)
Commanding Officer, HM ML 110 (motor launch) [HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe)]
18.03.1944
-
31.05.1944
Commanding Officer, HM ML 110 (motor launch)
01.06.1944
-
(10.1944)
Commanding Officer, HM ML 106 (motor launch)
03.03.1945


Senior Officer, 51st ML Flotilla
09.04.1945


passage to NZ
Bank officer.
Duthie,
Henry Edward
"Red"
H.E. Duthie
?
-
2002
Dorset
?
? [FX81941]
T/A/S.Lt. (A)
02.07.1941
T/S.Lt. (A)
22.10.1941
T/Lt. (A)
02.01.1944
A/Lt.
22.05.1953, seniority 21.07.1950
Lt.
09.09.1955, seniority 21.07.1950 (retd 22.10.1962)
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration VRD
23.01.1963
-
late 08.1940


boarded liner "Akaroa" at Lyttelton for passage to UK
08.10.1941
-
(08.1942)
pilot, 801 Squadron FAA [HMS Heron (RN Air Station, Yeovilton, Somerset), from 01.07.1942 HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier)]
30.05.1944
-
(10.1944)
pilot, HMS Vulture (RN Air Station, St Merryn)
15.04.1945
-
(07.1945)
pilot, 759 Squadron FAA [HMS Heron (RN Air Station, Yeovilton, Somerset)]
(04.1946)
 
 
HMNZS Cook *
22.05.1953


joined Permanent RNVR (later amalgamated into RNR)
* indexed, but not listed as such
       

E    

top

       

F    

top

Fenwick,
John
J. Fenwick
?
-
T/Lt. (A)
21.12.1943
(07.1945)


no appointment listed
(04.1946)


HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) *
* indexed, but not listed as such
Fisher,
Ronald John
R.J. Fisher
Married Elaine ... (died 1980); three sons.
15.06.1917
Te Karaka, Gisborne, New Zealand
-
08.08.2006
White Rock, BC, Canada
T/S.Lt. (A)
?
T/Lt. (A)
27.03.1943
T/A/Lt.Cdr. (A)
01.02.1944
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
30.11.1943
successful sorties esp. against E-boats since 10.42
07.12.1942
-
01.02.1944
pilot, 841 Squadron FAA
01.02.1944
-
30.05.1944
Commanding Officer, 841 Squadron FAA (Lee-on-Solent, then Arbroath)
(07.1945)


no appointment listed
(04.1946)


HMNZS Cook (RNZN depot, Wellington) *
Emigrated to British Columbia, Canada, in 1952 where he became a school teacher.
* indexed, but not listed as such

G    

top

Goodwin,
Ralph Burton
R.B. Goodwin
?
-

T/S.Lt.
19.04.1940
T/Lt.
28.12.1940 (retd 1945/46)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
13.03.1945
escaped when a Japanese POW
25.06.1940
-
(02.1941)
HMS Harrow (minesweeper)
?
-
21.12.1941
MTB 10 (2nd MTB Flotilla, Hong Kong) [HMS Tamar] (wounded; POW)
17.07.1944


escaped from Japanese Shamshuipo POW camp
05.1945
-
(07.1945)
HMS Golden Hind (RN manning depot, Sydney, NSW) (for disposal)
Published: Hongkong escape (1953; on escape from POW camp); Passport to eternity (1956; on life in POW camp)
Gray,
George David
G.D. Gray
Son of David George Gray.
Married 1st; two children.
Married 2nd; thee children.
?
Invercagill, NZ
-

c. 1974/75
Whangarei, NZ
S.Lt.
21.07.1933
Lt.
15.05.1938
?, seniority 01.05.1938
(04.1940)
 
 
no appointment listed
12.04.1940
-
(02.1941)
HMNZS Philomel (RNZN depot, Auckland) (for reserve mineswepers)
09.1941
-
(12.1941)
HMNZS Philomel (RNZN depot, Auckland)
?
-
(08.1942)
HMNZS Leander (cruiser) [indicated as from 01.08.1941]
(02.1943)
-
(10.1944)
HMNZS Manuka (minesweeper) [indicated as from 30.03.1942]
(07.1945)


HMS Ayrshire (anti-submarine warfare trawler) *
?
-
(04.1946)
HMNZS Pahau (minesweeper) [indicated as from 10.01.1944]
* indexed, but the ship is not listed anymore; Gray is not listed under HMS Ayrshire in Dec 43, Apr 44, Jun 44 or Oct 44
Insurance assessor.

H    

top

Hazard,
Douglas Lenard

W.R. Hocking
Son of R.P. Hazard.
Married Mary Hazard (née ...).

Cenotaph record
16.01.1920
Frankton, Hamilton, NZ
-
22.01.1999
Auckland, NZ
Ord.Sea.
13.09.1940 [CJ/X 247112]
T/S.Lt.
30.10.1941
T/Lt.
01.05.1943 (reld > 04.1946)
Mention in Despatches MID
14.06.1945
HM's birthday 45
Mention in Despatches MID
21.08.1945
destroyed 3 U-boats Kola Inlet 04.45
Accountant.
14.09.1940
 
 
embarked vessel Tamaroa at Wellington for passage to the UK (served North Sea, Atlantic, South Atlantic, Mediterranean, Russian Operation, and Iceland)
(12.1941)


no appointment listed
02.04.1944
-
01.1945
HMS Hesperus (destroyer)
24.01.1945
-
(07.1945)
HMS Loch Shin (frigate)
(04.1946)


HMNZS Cook *
Post-war a civil servant (accountant & director).
* indexed, but not listed as such
Hilliard,
John George [Nicholson]
"Jack"
J.G. Hilliard
15.01.1908
Auckland
-
S.Lt.
1928
Lt.
19.06.1932
Lt.Cdr.
19.06.1940
Cdr.
30.06.1945
Capt.
31.12.1951 (retd late 1950s?)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) CBE
31.05.1956
HM's birthday 56 [award presented]
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
11.06.1942
HM's birthday 42 [award presented]
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration VRD
?
?
Mention in Despatches MID
01.07.1941
HM's birthday 41
1926


joined the Auckland Division of the Naval Reserve
23.07.1940
-
(02.)1941
Commanding Officer, HMS Blackthorn (minesweeping trawler) (Channel convoys)
26.11.1941
-
1944
Commanding Officer, HMNZS Tui (corvette) *
1944
-
1945
Executive Officer, HMNZS Philomel (RNZN depot, Auckland)
1946


Commanding Officer, Auckland Division RNZNVR
Company director.
* (04.1946) still listed as such
Hocking,
Walter Raymond

W.R. Hocking
?
-
T/S.Lt.
28.10.1944 (reld > 04.1946)
(12.1943)


HMS Sheffield (cruiser)
03.1945
-
(07.1945)
HMS Bherunda (RN Air Station, Colombo, Ceylon) (for miscellaneous duties)
(04.1946)


no appointment listed
Holmes,
Cecil William

C.W. Holmes
?
-
T/S.Lt.
02.10.1942 (reld > 04.1946)
26.01.1943
-
(10.1943)
HMS Wensleydale (destroyer)
(07.1945)
-
(04.1946)
HMNZS Cook *
* indexed, but not listed as such
       

 
I    

top

       

J    

top

Jervis,
Stanley Godfrey

S.G. Jervis (Photo courtesy of Mr Bay Jervis)
Married; at least one son.
23.02.1912
Auckland
-
T/S.Lt. *
19.04.1940
T/Lt. *
19.04.1941
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
14.09.1943
destruction U-boat Western Approaches 05.43 &tc. [investiture 23.05.44]

* initially RNVR, from 1942?/1943? RNZNVR

(02.1941)


HMS Sultan (RN base, Singapore) *
?
-
27.05.1941
HMS Syvern (anti-submarine escort vessel; ex-Norwegian whale catcher)
[ship sunk off Suda Bay; made his was across the island of Crete to Sfakia; evacuated on HMAS Perth 30.05.1941]
(06?).1941
-
(06?).1942
HMS Valiant (battleship) (for 12 months) **
03.1943
-
04.1944
anti-submarine control officer, HMS Oribi (destroyer) (North Russian convoy escort)
05.1944
-
(06.)1944
HMS Scarborough (sloop) (Normandy)
20.09.1944
-
(11.1944)
First Lieutenant, HMS Brissenden (destroyer)
02.1945
-
(07.1945)
HMS Golden Hind (RN manning depot, Sydney, NSW)
(1945)
-
(1946?)
First Lieutenant, HMS Redpole (sloop) (British Pacific Fleet)
(04.1946)


HMNZS Cook (RNZN depot & training establishment) *
Clerk.
* indexed, but not listed as such
** (12.1941) indexed, but not listed as such
       

K    

top

Kelly,
James
"Jim"

J. Kelly
?
-
03.2006 still alive
T/A/S.Lt.
10.1944
T/S.Lt.
13.04.1945 (reld > 04.1946)
10.1944


commissioned, RNZNVR (B8*)
13.11.1944
-
(07.1945)
HMS Oceanway (landing ship, dock)
?
-
(04.1946)
HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) **
* Kelly writes: "During the war several Kiwis with blue water sailing experience were drafted into the navy under a scheme A. They were considered capable of being commissioned and as such, were "loaned" to the Royal Navy for a war time commission. Scheme B was second of such schemes and educational plus psychological tests were applied to suitably qualified ex-secondary school successes, and others, and they were shipped over to the UK for training and screening for a temporary commission in the RN. Of our group B8 24 were selected and 15 or 16 "passed"."
** indexed, but not listed as such
Kennedy,
John Roderick *
R.J. Kennedy
* also used as
Kennedy, Roderick John
?
-
17.10.2002
Cheltenham
Prob. T/S/Lt.
< 08.1942
T/S.Lt.
?
T/Lt.
28.07.1942 (reld > 04.1946)
30.03.1942
-
(12.1943)
HMS Philante (yacht; training ship)
27.03.1945
-
(07.1945)
First Lieutenant, HM ML 194 (motor launch)
?
-
(04.1946)
HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) *



also served at some point at: HMS Elfin (submarine base, Blyth), HMS H 43 (submarine), HMS H 34 (submarine) and HMS Pembroke (RN base, Chatham)
Real estate agent.

* indexed, but not listed as such
King,
Lewis
L. King L. King
L. King L. King

biographical sketch
17.10.1914
Glasgow, Scotland
-
S.Lt.
23.03.1935
Lt.
09.06.1938
A/Lt.Cdr.
17.12.1943?
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
25.03.1943
North Russian convoy JW51B 31.12.42 [investiture 29.06.43]
1931


joined RNZNVR
(04.1940)


no appointment listed
(05.1940?)


HMS Excellent (gunnery school, Portsmouth)



HMS Weston (sloop) (Atlantic and coastal convoy escort duties)
09.12.1940
-
(02.)1941
HMS Berkeley (destroyer) (escort to the Channel convoys)
19.08.1941
-
(02.)1943
Gunnery Officer, then First Lieutenant, HMS Onslow (destroyer) (Scapa Flow & Iceland)
17.12.1943
-
(04.1946)
Gunnery Officer, HMNZS Achilles (cruiser) (attached to the East Indies Fleet, the British Pacific Fleet and the Japanese Occupation Forces)



Executive Officer, HMNZS Olphert
Company manager.
       

L    

top

Logan,
Robert Alexander
"Bob"
R.A. Logan (Photo courtesy of Mr Robert M.R. Norwell)
From Auckland.
23.08.1912
Auckland, NZ
-
Prob. T/S.Lt. RNVR
?
T/S.Lt. RNVR
?, seniority 31.10.1940
T/Lt.
31.10.1941 (reld > 04.1946)
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
14.06.1945
HM's birthday 45 [award presented] *

* Awarded the DSC after making eleven trips to Crete, where he landed some sixty agents and evacuated about one hundred persons, besides unloading an average of one ton of supplies each time.

(02.1941)


no appointment listed
(12.1941)


HMS Pembroke (RN base, Chatham) *



transferred to RNZNVR
01.03.1944
-
(10.1944)
Commanding Officer, HM ML 355 (motor launch)
[took part in the evacuation of the abduction party of German General Kreipe from Crete]
(07.1945)


HMS Victory (RN base, Portsmouth) *
(04.1946)


HMNZS Cook (depot, Wellington, NZ) *
Printer.
* indexed, but not listed as such
       

M    

top

Macdonald *,
George James
"Jim" / "Mac"

G.J. MacDonald

Married (23.06.1945, Aberdeen) Third Officer Evelyn Margaret Helen Mathieson, WRNS; one son, five daughters.

Cenotaph record
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
article Navy Today

* both Navy List & London Gazette persist in using his last name as:
MacDonald
30.09.1921
Wellington, NZ
-
22.01.1982
Wellington, NZ
Ord.Sea.
1938
T/Midsh.
05.1941
T/A/S.Lt.
30.09.1941
T/S.Lt.
30.09.1942?
T/A/Lt.
?
T/Lt.
01.10.1943
T/A/Lt.Cdr.
< 07.1945 (reld 1946)

Distinguished Service Order

DSO 
19.09.1944
Coastal Forces action Nore 04.07.44 *

Distinguished Service Cross

DSC
21.04.1942
attack convoy Channel 03.04.42 **
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
13.07.1943
attack shipping Nore 13.05.43
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
04.07.1944
two actions Nore 03.44
Mention in Despatches MID
17.10.1944
Coastal Forces action Nore 20.07.44
Mention in Despatches MID
02.01.1945
attacks Nore 14.09 & 08.10.44
1939-1945 Star 39|45 St
-
-
Atlantic Star Atl St
-
-
British War Medal 1939-1945 BWM 39|45
-
-
New Zealand War Service Medal NZWSM
-
-
* As senior officer of the 21st MTB Flotilla, temporary Sub-Lieutenant G.J. MacDonald handled Motor Torpedo Boats 225, 234 and 244 with great courage and skill on the night of 4-5 July 1944 in three gallant attempts to attack a heavily escorted enemy transport until it took refuge in port. On turning homeward the MTBs met a convoy of six ships and, though day had broken, in face of intense sank two by torpedoes and damaged two thers by gunfire.
** MTB 31 had made a solo attack on a German convoy, sinking one ship, but the boat was then surrounded by enemy craft and set on fire. Macdonald supervised the placing of the wounded, including his CO, in a Carley float as they abandoned the vessel ... After a time the fire in the MTB abated and Macdonald swam back to board the MTB and fight the fire, enabling the boat to be saved.
1938
 
 
joined Wellington Division, RNZNVR
09.1939
-
?
gunner, Defence Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) Trienze
?
-
02.1941
gunner, Defence Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) Fordsdale
 
 
 
officers' course, HMS King Alfred (RNVR officers' training establishments, Hove & Lancing, Sussex) & Coastal Forces training, HMS St Christopher (Coastal Forces training establishment, Fort William)
28.07.1941
-
(12.1941)
First Lieutenant, HM MTB 14 (motor torpedo boat) [HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe)]
(03.1942)


First Lieutenant, HM MTB 31 (motor torpedo boat) [HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe)]
23.03.1942
- (12.1943) Commanding Officer, HM MTB 241 (motor torpedo boat) [HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe)]
09.1943
-
(1944)
Senior Officer, 21st MTB Flotilla
03.12.1944
-
(07.1945)
Commanding Officer, HM MTB 393 (motor torpedo boat) & Senior Officer, 31st MTB Flotilla
(04.1946)


HMNZS Cook (depot & training establishment, Wellington, NZ) *
City Engineer, Wellington, 1978.
* indexed, but not listed as such
Martin,
Alastair Edgar
"Al"

A.E. Martin
 
Son of Robert Jarves and Mary Georgina Martin, of Ashburton, Canterbury.

Cenotaph record
1924 ?
-
05.05.1944
(KIA) [age 20]
[New Zealand Naval Memorial, Devonport, Auckland, panel 9]
T/A/S.Lt. (A)
?
18.08.1943
-
05.05.1944
pilot, 825 Squadron FAA [since 18.12.1943 HMS Vindex (escort carrier)]
McLennan,
Andrew Colin
A.C. McLennan
?
-
T/A/S.Lt. (A)
?
T/S.Lt. (A)
27.12.1941
T/A/Lt. (A)
< 07.1945
T/A/Lt.Cdr. (A)
< 04.1946 (reld > 04.1946)
27.10.1942
-
(02.1943)
pilot, 804 Squadron FAA [HMS Dasher (escort carrier)]
(07.1945)