Arthur Ashworth was born in Gisborne on May 3 1920, seventh child and
third son of Arthur John and Edna Mary Ashworth. and in the pre-war
years he was employed as a Draughtsman at the Public Works Department
Aerodrome Services. He became the first man in Alexandra to enter the
air force at the beginning of World War II when he enlisted with the
RNZAF in September 1939. He transferred to the RAF in June 1940.
His ground training was carried out at Rongatai, New Zealand, in September to October 1939, then Elementary Flight Training School (EFTS) at Ttairei until December. He finished his training with Initial Flying Training School (IFTS) and EFTS at Wigram in March 1940.
Wing Commander Ashworth began his career with the 75th Squadron in 1941 and flew many sorties in the Middle East before taking a prominent part in the formation of the Pathfinder Force (PFF) and the evolution of its tactics.
He took part with distinction in the bombing of the Scharnhorst at Brest Harbour in 1941 and was awarded the DFC. Later, he brought home alone a Wellington Bomber after his crew had bailed out when it was seen that the aircraft was flaming like a torch. His parachute was missing or he himself would have bailed out, and it was only because the fire miraculously died out that he was able to land safely. At that time he had taken part in nearly 70 raids over enemy territory.
He was one of only a few pilots during WWII that flew both fighters and bombers. He participated in the amazing total of 110 operational sorties, at a time when the average was only 10, and in doing so completed 498 operational hours.
He finished his war service with the 75th Squadron, attended the Empire Test Pilots School during 1948 and spent 3 years with the Instrument and Photographic Flight at the RAF in Farnborough. Arthur spent time as a Staff Officer with Number 1 Bomber Group before taking over command of the 139th Squadron (the Jamaican) in July 1953. It was as commanding officer of that squadron, purchased by money raised in Jamaica, that he went with 129 officers and men on a goodwill tour of the West Indies in October of 1955. The Jamaican Squadron, flying the 600mph Canberra jets, was stationed at Helmswell near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. He married the widow of a friend in 1951.
He was awarded a Bar to his AFC in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 1956. On July 1 he was promoted to Wing Commander and retired due to ill health the same year.
Arthur suffered recurrent malarial attacks from 1942 and in 1994 was hospitalised in Bournemouth, England, where he was living with his wife. He died on February 19.
Photo by Artie Ashworth
Left to right: Sgt Ted McSherry (N), P/O Artie Ashworth,
P/O Wilson (2ndP) and Sgt Broad
His ground training was carried out at Rongatai, New Zealand, in September to October 1939, then Elementary Flight Training School (EFTS) at Ttairei until December. He finished his training with Initial Flying Training School (IFTS) and EFTS at Wigram in March 1940.
Wing Commander Ashworth began his career with the 75th Squadron in 1941 and flew many sorties in the Middle East before taking a prominent part in the formation of the Pathfinder Force (PFF) and the evolution of its tactics.
He took part with distinction in the bombing of the Scharnhorst at Brest Harbour in 1941 and was awarded the DFC. Later, he brought home alone a Wellington Bomber after his crew had bailed out when it was seen that the aircraft was flaming like a torch. His parachute was missing or he himself would have bailed out, and it was only because the fire miraculously died out that he was able to land safely. At that time he had taken part in nearly 70 raids over enemy territory.
He was one of only a few pilots during WWII that flew both fighters and bombers. He participated in the amazing total of 110 operational sorties, at a time when the average was only 10, and in doing so completed 498 operational hours.
He finished his war service with the 75th Squadron, attended the Empire Test Pilots School during 1948 and spent 3 years with the Instrument and Photographic Flight at the RAF in Farnborough. Arthur spent time as a Staff Officer with Number 1 Bomber Group before taking over command of the 139th Squadron (the Jamaican) in July 1953. It was as commanding officer of that squadron, purchased by money raised in Jamaica, that he went with 129 officers and men on a goodwill tour of the West Indies in October of 1955. The Jamaican Squadron, flying the 600mph Canberra jets, was stationed at Helmswell near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. He married the widow of a friend in 1951.
He was awarded a Bar to his AFC in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 1956. On July 1 he was promoted to Wing Commander and retired due to ill health the same year.
Arthur suffered recurrent malarial attacks from 1942 and in 1994 was hospitalised in Bournemouth, England, where he was living with his wife. He died on February 19.
Photo by Artie Ashworth
Left to right: Sgt Ted McSherry (N), P/O Artie Ashworth,
P/O Wilson (2ndP) and Sgt Broad
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| RNZAF | 75th Squadron | 8th Pathfinder Force | RAF |
Corran and brother, Arthur.
Wellington, New Zealand
c.1938
Read about Arthur's brother
Corran.
Arthur and Corran,
1942
Wing Commander
Arthur Ashworth
Remembrance Poems
- For The Fallen
- A Soldier's Prayer
- Why Wear A Poppy?
- High Flight
- A Soldier's Judgement
- A Prayer For A Fallen Soldier
RAF Feltwell Recollection
Read Arthur Ashworth's own words about his time at RAF Feltwell
Campaign Stars, Medals and Clasps won: (left to right)
The Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Flying Cross (and Bar)
The Air Force Cross (and Bar)
The 1939-45 Star
The Aircrew Europe Star with The France and Germany Clasp
The Africa Star
The Pacific Star
The Defence Medal
The War Medal 1939-45 (plus Oak leaf denoting Mentioned in Dispatches)
The New Zealand War Medal
The Malta 50th Anniversary medal
©
and Editor: Vincent Ashworth
2009
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