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Wing Commander John Nettleton V.C.
Since I recompiled the article on the Raid of Augsburg and more
latterly the Honours and Awards of Rhodesian Servicemen during World War 2
I believed it necessary for ORAFs to clarify if indeed Wing Commander
Nettleton was in fact Rhodesian born and hopefully further information.
The articles below were recompiled by the undersigned from
newspaper, either the Cape Argus or Cape Times, entries that I found on a
visit to the Simon's
Town (South Africa) museum in December 2012.
I must make mention of the wonderful and friendly assistance that
was afforded me by Margaret Constant and Victoria Mlanjani. Thank you
ladies.
Eddy Norris
Irene, RSA
ora...@gmail.com
Cc: Simonstown
Museum stmu...@mweb.co.za
Refer:
http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=481432&comments=1
Wing Commander John Deering,
Nettleton, V.C.. who was reported missing in July, and whose death is now
presumed. gained the V.C. for the part he took as leader of one of the two
formations of six Lancaster heavy bombers which on April 17, 1942 made a
low-level attack in daylight on the M.A.N. Diesel engine factory at
Augsburg.
This involved flying some 1 000 miles over hostile
territory. On the way out some 25 to 30 fighters attacked, and one by one
his aircraft were shot down until only his own and one other remained, but
he held on. Over the target, which was accurately bombed, the second
aircraft burst into flames, and crash landed, and Nettleton's machine
alone returned.
Wing Commander Nettleton came from South Africa. He
was born at Nongoma, Natal, in l917 and educated at Stanbury's
private school, Cape Town. He joined the South African training ship
General Botha, went into the merchant navy, and after 18 months at sea
turned to civil engineering. He worked in various parts of South Africa
for three years, during which he remained in the South African Division of
the R.N.V.R. He had already had some flying experience when, on December
14,1938, he received a short service commission in the R.A.F. as acting
pilot officer. On completing training he served on flying duties in
various squadrons, and was promoted Flying Officer in July, 1940, Flight
Lieutenant in February 1941, Squadron Leader in July of that year and Wing
Commander in the spring of 1943 on taking command of the Rhodesian
Squadron of Lancaster bombers, in which he had been a flight commander. He
took part in the great daylight attack on Brest on July 24, 1941, and had
taken part in many night attacks on German targets, including Essen and
Berlin.
He was married at Lincoln in July, 1942. to Assistant
Section Officer Betty Isobel Havelock W.A.A.F., daughter of Captain George
Haveiock. of Paignton, Devon. His widow gave birth to a son on February
19.
End
Son for VC's Widow
(Above) Mrs. Nettleton, widow of Wing
Commander J. D. Nettleton, who won the V.C. for his part in the daylight
raid on Augsburg in 1942, has given birth to a son in a Lincoln nursing
home.
Wing Commander Nettleton married Section-officer Betty
Havelock, of the W.A.A.F., at Lincoln, in July, 1942. He was reported
missing last year and has since been presumed killed in
action.
Dated: February 1944
End
Dead V.C.'s Names
for Baby Son
The son of the late Wing Commander J. D. Nettleton,
V.C., hero: of the Augsburg raid, and first South African V.C. of this
war, has been christened John Dering, the same names as his
father.
The ceremony took place in .St. Mary Magdalene Church.
Lincoln, where Wing Commander-Nettleton was married to Section Officer
Betty Havelock W.A.A.F.. in July 1942:
He was reported missing in
July 1943 and his son was born last February.
Dated: 22 May,
1944
End
Ex-Botha Boy's Fine Record
58 Awards to
46 Men
SINCE the outbreak of war. 46 former cadets of the S.A.T.S.
General Botha have gained 58 awards including one V.C seven
D S O, 10
D.S.C, four D.S.M., eight D.F.C.. two D.F.M. two M.B.E. two M.C and one
M.M.
In addition 17 former cadets have been mentioned in dispatches
and two in the London Gazette.
The V.C. was awarded to the late
Wing-Commander J. D. Nettleton. R.A.F.
Dated: July 22, 1944 Sadly
the newspaper cutting ended here.
Botha Old Boys
The Old
Boys' Association of the S.A.T.S. General Botha have launched a campaign
to raise fund to commemorate suitably
those General Botha Old Boys who
have given their lives in the war.
It is intended to Place a
memorial of some kind in Stalplein and a plaque in the ship itself, to
found scholarships or bursaries to provide a General Botha training for
the sons of Old Boys who have made the supreme sacrifice. and if possible
to create a fund for the relief of distress among Old Boys and their
dependants.
A ball in aid of the Memorial Fund is being held in the
City Hall on Friday, July 28. It will be attended by Vice Admiral, Sir
Robert Burnett, Commander - in - Chief of the South Atlantic Station, and
Lady Burnett.
S.A.T.S. General Botha Old Boys'
Association.
Not Dated
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