Thu 14/Fri 15 Dec 1944 - New Zealand
Shooting accident - Non-effective Pool, RNZAF
During disembarkation leave, went shooting with a .22 repeating rifle in the evening on his father's farm at Silverhope, 3 miles SW of Hunterville. Died when the firearm accidentally discharged, apparently as he was getting through a fence, and is buried in the Upper Tutaenui Cemetery, Marton.
Armourer: NZ39310 Cpl Ronald Kieth BARTLETT, RNZAF - Age 23. During his time overseas Bartlett served as an armourer with 59 Sqn, RAF, 75 (NZ) Sqn, RAF, and 486 Sqn, RNZAF.
Bio details from Volume Three:
BARTLETT, Ronald Kieth, NZ39310 (prev 39310); b Marton [Hunterville?] 19 Aug 21*; Marton DHS & Wanganui Collegiate [sic - Wanganui TColl?]; farmer - Army Dept, Trentham. NZ Army/TF (WWCR Mar 38, Special Res – Army Sch of Instr 18 Aug-19 Nov 38); RNZAF Trentham as Aircrafthand 13 Apr 39, 1FTS 16 Jun 39, remust as Armourer u/t 21 Jul 39, remust as Armourer 1 Feb 40, Ohakea 2 Feb 40, att RAF & emb for UK 25 Jul 40, 1 Depot 5 Sep 40, 59 Sqn (Blenheim) 9 Sep 40, 75(NZ)Sqn (Wellington) 29 Mar 41 [att 1AAS 17 Oct-?], 486 Sqn RNZAF (Hurricane, Typhoon) 28 Mar 42, 3084 NZ Servicing Echelon (Typhoon, Tempest) 29 Sep 43, 149 Airfield HQ (Tempest) 11 Mar 44, 12PD&RC 9 Jul 44, emb for NZ c.25 Jul 44, rtd to NZ & NEP 28 Sep 44, died in a shooting accident 14 Dec 44. Upper Tutaenui Cemetery, Marton - E.30. Son of Isaac Clarence & Grace Richmond Bartlett (nee Illston), Marton, Silverhope; h of Iris Lilian Bartlett (nee Legge), Gore.
Note: * gave birth year as 1920 on enlistment.