The New Zealand Aces

Our museum is dedicated to all New Zealand fighter pilots. Because it is not possible to display photographs and combat details of every one of these men in the museum the walls of the aircraft area are devoted to the 94 pilots who are known to have achieved 'ace' status in World Wars I & II. 
 
The term 'fighter ace' is generally held to mean a pilot who has scored at least five confirmed victories in air to air combat. In the case of night fighter and multi-seat day fighter aircraft the navigator/radar operator, without whose assistance the pilot could not have reached his total, is named where possible.

While the museum highlights the aces, it does not seek to sensationalise their achievements. There were many fine pilots who for reasons of circumstance or opportunity were unable to build up 'ace' scores. 
 
We pay tribute also to the ground crews whose skill and dedication, often under great pressure and in almost intolerable conditions, provided the essential strength of the Air Forces. 
 
The destruction of an enemy aircraft, designated a 'victory' in combat terms, very often meant the death of its pilot. Respect for the adversary was common among the fighter pilots and since the war many survivors from both sides have sought contact with each other. 
 
We honour here our own aerial warriors - we ask you to think too of the young men who, also flying in the Air Force of their country, fought against them. 
 
(A note regarding our World War One fighter aces - the rank on their biography is that which they held at the end of the Great War).

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Squadron Leader Arthur Ernest Umbers by Ken Wynn A.E. Umbers was born in Dunedin on 30 June 1919 and was a clerk before he joined the RNZAF in November 1940. He was posted to the UK following flying training and is thought to have served first with 74 Squadron in late 1941/early 1942. Read more...

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Squadron Leader Victor Bosanquet Strachan Verity by Ken Wynn Victor Verity was born at Timaru on November 5 1919. He was at Timaru Boys’ High School from 1932 to 1934 and after leaving worked on his father’s farm. Read more...

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Squadron Leader Derek Harland Ward by Ken Wynn The son of a doctor, Ward was born in Whangarei on 31 July 1917. After obtaining his pilot’s licence in April 1937 he joined the RNZAF and training completed, sailed to Britain in April 1938 to serve with the RAF. Read more... Captain Herbert Gillis Watson by Trevor Richards The top-scoring New Zealand pilot to serve with the Australian Flying Corps, Gill Watson was born in Dunedin on 30 March 1889 (not 1890, as several accounts have stated). Apart from his spending a year at Southland Boys’ High School in 1903, very little is known about his life prior to 1914, but at some stage he evidently ... Read more... Wing Commander Edward Preston Wells by Ken Wynn ’Hawkeye’ Wells, born in Cambridge on 26 July 1916, went farming following his education at Cambridge High School. His nickname was a consequence of his prowess as a marksman. Read more... Squadron Leader Jeffery George West by Ken Wynn Jeffery West was born in Palmerston North on the 30th October 1912. He worked as a civil servant in the Manawatu before joining the RNZAF in May 1940. Read more... Squadron Leader Derrick Fitzgerald Westenra by Ken Wynn A farmer, born in Christchurch on 29 April 1918, Westenra joined the RNZAF in February 1940, and transferred into the RAF late in 1940. Read more... Group Captain Eric William Whitley by Ken Wynn Whitley was born in Epsom on 17 August 1908 and was educated at Kings College, Auckland. Read more... Flight Lieutenant Gordon Albert Williams by Ken Wynn Gordon Williams was born in Napier on 29 April 1918 and until he joined the RNZAF in December 1940 was a builder’s apprentice. Read more... Squadron Leader John Edwin Ashley Williams by Ken Wynn Williams was born in Wellington on May 6 1919. He joined the RAF in January 1938 to take up a short service commission. Read more... Flying Officer Brian Wallace Woodman by Ken Wynn Brian Woodman was born in the Nelson area and was educated at Nelson College during 1936 - 39. He was a member of the College’s First Fifteen and its shooting champion in 1939. Read more...

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Wing Commander Robert Duncan Yule by Ken Wynn The son of a dental surgeon, Robert Yule was born in Invercargill on January 29 1920. Read more...