James Ronald BROWNING

Serial Number: NZ413376
RAF Trade: Pilot
Date of Enlistment: 2nd of September 1941
Rank Achieved: Flight Sergeant
Flying Hours:
Operational Sorties:

Date of Birth: 18th of June 1915, at Cambridge, NZ
Personal Details: James was the son of James and Julia Mary Browning. He worked as a farmer before the war. He was not married and when he embarked for England his next of kin was listed as Mrs Y. E. Churton (his sister), St Heliers Bay, Auckland

Service Details: James joined the Volunteer Rifles (in Waipukurau?) before later enlisting in the RNZAF on the 2nd of September 1941.He trained as a pilot at No. 4 EFTS at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, then advanced onto No. 3 FTS at Ohakea. Following successful training there, James embarked for the UK and was attached to the Royal Air Force. He joined trained as a bomber pilot. He was serving with No. 101 Squadron when he was killed.

Details of Death : On the 5th of May 1943 James and his crew took off from Holme-on-Spalding Moor in Lancaster I W4863 SR-G, to take part in on Operation Dortmund.

The aircraft crashed at Scorton, five miles east-south-east of Richmond, Yorkshire. Four of the crew were killed including James Browning. The others who died were Sgt J.H. Stretton, Sgt R. Allison and Sgt M.D. Davis. The remaining three crew members - Sgt S.L. Granville, Sgt L.G. Hogden and F/S J.S. Rays (RAAF) were injured.

Buried: Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. C. of F. Sec. Row O. Grave 14.

Connection with Cambridge: James was born in Cambridge. I do not know when he left the town however. I don't think he was still here when war broke out.

Sources: James Browning's Auckland War Memorial page

Connection with Cambridge: James Browning was born in Cambridge

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