{"id":4902,"date":"2018-02-01T23:11:37","date_gmt":"2018-02-01T23:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/?p=4902"},"modified":"2018-02-01T23:38:12","modified_gmt":"2018-02-01T23:38:12","slug":"owen-hicks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/2018\/02\/owen-hicks\/","title":{"rendered":"WONZ 174 &#8211; Owen Hicks &#8211; Air Electrician"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_3126\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-4902-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/wonz\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/WONZ_Ep_174_Owen_Hicks.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/wonz\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/WONZ_Ep_174_Owen_Hicks.mp3\">https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/wonz\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/WONZ_Ep_174_Owen_Hicks.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/wonz\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/WONZ_Ep_174_Owen_Hicks.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/?powerpress_pinw=4902-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/wonz\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/WONZ_Ep_174_Owen_Hicks.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"WONZ_Ep_174_Owen_Hicks.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/au\/podcast\/wings-over-new-zealand-show\/id606143097?mt=2&amp;ls=1#episodeGuid=https%3A%2F%2Fcambridgeairforce.org.nz%2FWONZShow%2F%3Fp%3D4902\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_itunes\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Apple Podcasts\" rel=\"nofollow\">Apple Podcasts<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Guest: <\/strong>Owen Rundle Hicks (NZ427777, Corporal, Royal New Zealand Air Force)<br \/>\n24 November 1921 &#8211; 7 July 2017<\/p>\n<p><strong>Host:<\/strong>\u00a0Dave Homewood<\/p>\n<p><strong>Recorded:<\/strong>\u00a013th of May 2014<\/p>\n<p><strong>Released:<\/strong>\u00a02nd of February 2018<\/p>\n<p><strong>Duration:<\/strong>\u00a01 hour 3 minutes 11 seconds<\/p>\n<p>Owen spent time in the Territorial Army in the early war years whilst working as an electrician in his day job. He was mobilised into the Regular Army in December 1941 when Japan entered the war, as a driver in he Army Service Corps. However he was not happy with Army life so applied to switch to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Air Electrician trade. He was accepted into the RNZAF in 1942.<\/p>\n<p>Within short time he was posted to No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron at Masterton, and following a three month course at Wigram he was posted back to No. 14 Squadron, now at Whenuapai. The squadron was preparing to take their Curtiss P-40K and P-40M Warhawks up to the Pacific.<\/p>\n<p>Owen went up to Tontouta with the squadron and spent six weeks there repairing damaged P-40&#8217;s that had endured mishaps on the ill fated ferry flights. He then rejoined the squadron at Espiritu Santo before being posted up to Guadalcanal with No. 15 (Fighter) Squadron who were short of Air Electricians.<\/p>\n<p>When No. 15 Squadron&#8217;s tour was over and they left for home they were replaced at Guadalcanal by No. 14 Squadron, so Owen was again part of that unit as he stayed on at No. 1 Fighter Strip, Guadalcanal. Soon the RNZAF changed the way the groundcrews were organised and he was detached from the squadron and became part of the newly formed Servicing Unit. He served with the S.U. till an accident put him in hospital, and once he&#8217;d recovered he was then posted to an emergency strip at Segi Point (aka Seghe), on the southern tip of New Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>He eventually returned to Guadalcanal, now based at Henderson Field, the bomber strip, with No. 10 Servicing Unit, who were maintaining Lockheed Venturas.<\/p>\n<p>Eventually returning to Santo he was found to have malaria, and was posed home, spending the rest of the war stationed at RNZAF Station Ardmore, save for a jungle course at RNZAF Swanson.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Owen_Hicks.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4906\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Owen_Hicks-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Owen_Hicks-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Owen_Hicks-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Owen_Hicks-768x1366.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Owen_Hicks-84x150.jpg 84w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Owen_Hicks-400x711.jpg 400w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Owen_Hicks.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOwen Hicks during the interview at his home at Ranfurly Veterans Home, Auckland (Photo Dave Homewood)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Owen&#8217;s Photo Collection<br \/>\n<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1941-Rotorua-camp.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4995\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1941-Rotorua-camp.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"459\" height=\"756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1941-Rotorua-camp.bmp 459w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1941-Rotorua-camp-182x300.bmp 182w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1941-Rotorua-camp-91x150.bmp 91w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1941-Rotorua-camp-400x659.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOwen during his days in the Army, 1941-42<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Mother-Father.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5008\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Mother-Father.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"583\" height=\"826\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Mother-Father.bmp 583w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Mother-Father-212x300.bmp 212w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Mother-Father-106x150.bmp 106w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Mother-Father-400x567.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 583px) 100vw, 583px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOwn with his mother and father<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1942-E-W-School2c-Class-10-at-Wigram.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4996\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1942-E-W-School2c-Class-10-at-Wigram-1024x734.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1942-E-W-School2c-Class-10-at-Wigram-1024x734.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1942-E-W-School2c-Class-10-at-Wigram-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1942-E-W-School2c-Class-10-at-Wigram-768x550.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1942-E-W-School2c-Class-10-at-Wigram-150x107.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1942-E-W-School2c-Class-10-at-Wigram-400x287.jpg 400w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1942-E-W-School2c-Class-10-at-Wigram.jpg 1115w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOwen and his class mates at the Electrical &amp; Wireless School at RNZAF Station Wigram. He is top right<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Final-Leave.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4998\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Final-Leave.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"785\" height=\"469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Final-Leave.bmp 785w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Final-Leave-300x179.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Final-Leave-768x459.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Final-Leave-150x90.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Final-Leave-400x239.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOwen on Final Leave before he left for the Pacific<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Camp-site-Fighter-Strip-1.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4997\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Camp-site-Fighter-Strip-1.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Camp-site-Fighter-Strip-1.bmp 918w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Camp-site-Fighter-Strip-1-300x212.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Camp-site-Fighter-Strip-1-768x544.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Camp-site-Fighter-Strip-1-150x106.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Camp-site-Fighter-Strip-1-400x283.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe camp at Fighter Strip No. 1, Guadalcanal, that Owen lived in while working with No&#8217;s<br \/>\n15 and 14 Squadrons and No. 1 Servicing Unit.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Map-of-Solomon-Islands.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4999\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Map-of-Solomon-Islands-1024x343.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Map-of-Solomon-Islands-1024x343.bmp 1024w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Map-of-Solomon-Islands-300x100.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Map-of-Solomon-Islands-768x257.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Map-of-Solomon-Islands-150x50.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Map-of-Solomon-Islands-400x134.bmp 400w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Map-of-Solomon-Islands.bmp 1756w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nA strip map showing the Solomon Islands<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Daily-Water-Ration.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5000\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Daily-Water-Ration.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Daily-Water-Ration.bmp 923w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Daily-Water-Ration-300x211.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Daily-Water-Ration-768x541.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Daily-Water-Ration-150x106.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Daily-Water-Ration-400x282.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe daily water ration<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Downed-Japanese-Plane.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5001\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Downed-Japanese-Plane.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Downed-Japanese-Plane.bmp 469w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Downed-Japanese-Plane-300x209.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Downed-Japanese-Plane-150x104.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Downed-Japanese-Plane-400x278.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nA damaged Japanese aircraft<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Flight-of-P.40-Aircraft.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5002\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Flight-of-P.40-Aircraft.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"487\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Flight-of-P.40-Aircraft.bmp 893w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Flight-of-P.40-Aircraft-300x228.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Flight-of-P.40-Aircraft-768x585.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Flight-of-P.40-Aircraft-150x114.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Flight-of-P.40-Aircraft-400x305.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nRNZAF Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk fighters escorted by an RNZAF Lockheed Hudson bomber<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Operational-Hut-Fighter-Strip-1.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5003\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Operational-Hut-Fighter-Strip-1.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Operational-Hut-Fighter-Strip-1.bmp 918w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Operational-Hut-Fighter-Strip-1-300x211.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Operational-Hut-Fighter-Strip-1-768x540.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Operational-Hut-Fighter-Strip-1-150x106.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Operational-Hut-Fighter-Strip-1-400x281.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe Operations Hut at Fighter Strip No. 1, Guadalcanal with RNZAF P-40&#8217;s<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Mobile-Workshop2cFlying-Officer-G.B.-Fisken-at-Fighter-Strip-1-Guadalcanal-1943.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5016\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Mobile-Workshop2cFlying-Officer-G.B.-Fisken-at-Fighter-Strip-1-Guadalcanal-1943-649x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"1010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Mobile-Workshop2cFlying-Officer-G.B.-Fisken-at-Fighter-Strip-1-Guadalcanal-1943-649x1024.jpg 649w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Mobile-Workshop2cFlying-Officer-G.B.-Fisken-at-Fighter-Strip-1-Guadalcanal-1943-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Mobile-Workshop2cFlying-Officer-G.B.-Fisken-at-Fighter-Strip-1-Guadalcanal-1943-768x1212.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Mobile-Workshop2cFlying-Officer-G.B.-Fisken-at-Fighter-Strip-1-Guadalcanal-1943-95x150.jpg 95w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Mobile-Workshop2cFlying-Officer-G.B.-Fisken-at-Fighter-Strip-1-Guadalcanal-1943-400x631.jpg 400w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Mobile-Workshop2cFlying-Officer-G.B.-Fisken-at-Fighter-Strip-1-Guadalcanal-1943.jpg 1324w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe Mobile Workshop where electrical repairs were done, and Geoff Fisken DFC of No. 14 Squadron<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Santo-Air-base-on-Vanuaatu.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5004\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Santo-Air-base-on-Vanuaatu.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Santo-Air-base-on-Vanuaatu.jpg 995w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Santo-Air-base-on-Vanuaatu-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Santo-Air-base-on-Vanuaatu-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Santo-Air-base-on-Vanuaatu-150x116.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1943-Santo-Air-base-on-Vanuaatu-400x309.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe Ground Crew<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-No.10-S-U.-Workshop-aera.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5009\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-No.10-S-U.-Workshop-aera.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"473\" height=\"349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-No.10-S-U.-Workshop-aera.bmp 473w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-No.10-S-U.-Workshop-aera-300x221.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-No.10-S-U.-Workshop-aera-150x111.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-No.10-S-U.-Workshop-aera-400x295.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nNo. 10 Servicing Unit (Venturas) at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-1.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5005\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-1-1024x694.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-1-1024x694.bmp 1024w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-1-300x203.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-1-768x520.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-1-150x102.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-1-400x271.bmp 400w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-1.bmp 1107w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAbove and below, a damaged Ventura<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-closeup-2-473x373.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5006\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-closeup-2-473x373-1024x808.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"505\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-closeup-2-473x373-1024x808.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-closeup-2-473x373-300x237.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-closeup-2-473x373-768x606.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-closeup-2-473x373-150x118.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-closeup-2-473x373-400x316.jpg 400w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Crashed-Venture-Bomber-closeup-2-473x373.jpg 1124w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Jungle-Terrain-2.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5007\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Jungle-Terrain-2.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Jungle-Terrain-2.bmp 689w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Jungle-Terrain-2-300x194.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Jungle-Terrain-2-150x97.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-Jungle-Terrain-2-400x258.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe jungle terrain in 1944<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-On-disembarkation-leave.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5011\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-On-disembarkation-leave.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-On-disembarkation-leave.bmp 771w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-On-disembarkation-leave-300x181.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-On-disembarkation-leave-768x462.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-On-disembarkation-leave-150x90.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-On-disembarkation-leave-400x241.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nDisembarkation leave, on his return to New Zealand<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-45-Ardmore-Hockey-Team.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5014\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-45-Ardmore-Hockey-Team-1024x770.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-45-Ardmore-Hockey-Team-1024x770.bmp 1024w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-45-Ardmore-Hockey-Team-300x226.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-45-Ardmore-Hockey-Team-768x578.bmp 768w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-45-Ardmore-Hockey-Team-150x113.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-45-Ardmore-Hockey-Team-400x301.bmp 400w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1944-45-Ardmore-Hockey-Team.bmp 1195w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe 1944-45 RNZAF Station Ardmore Hockey Team, Owen is standing second from left<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Last-photo-in-uniform.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5012\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Last-photo-in-uniform.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"589\" height=\"848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Last-photo-in-uniform.bmp 589w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Last-photo-in-uniform-208x300.bmp 208w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Last-photo-in-uniform-104x150.bmp 104w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Last-photo-in-uniform-400x576.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 589px) 100vw, 589px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOwen&#8217;s last photo taken in uniform<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Discharge-certificate.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5015\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Discharge-certificate.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"713\" height=\"953\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Discharge-certificate.bmp 713w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Discharge-certificate-224x300.bmp 224w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Discharge-certificate-112x150.bmp 112w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-Discharge-certificate-400x535.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 713px) 100vw, 713px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOwen&#8217;s Certificate of Discharge<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-War-Medals.bmp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-5013\" src=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-War-Medals.bmp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-War-Medals.bmp 693w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-War-Medals-300x199.bmp 300w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-War-Medals-150x99.bmp 150w, https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1945-War-Medals-400x265.bmp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOwen&#8217;s medals<\/p>\n<p>Special thanks to Owen&#8217;s son Wally Hicks for his assistance in making this episode.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Guest: Owen Rundle Hicks (NZ427777, Corporal, Royal New Zealand Air Force) 24 November 1921 &#8211; 7 July 2017<\/p>\n<p>Host: Dave Homewood<\/p>\n<p>Recorded: 13th of May 2014<\/p>\n<p>Released: 2nd of February 2018<\/p>\n<p>Duration: 1 hour 3 minutes 11 seconds<\/p>\n<p>Owen spent time in the Territorial Army in the early war years whilst working as an electrician [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1751,1752,1749,1750,1078,89,16,43,808,951,1747,1753,1755,15,389,1091,1754,1746,952,71,551,95,917,1745,214,90,5,881,1092,1571,1025,1756,1748,192,673,1026,1567,1733,46,183,810,916,1024,831,47,918,1757],"class_list":["post-4902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-episodes","tag-1751","tag-1752","tag-1749","tag-1750","tag-air","tag-aviation","tag-bomber","tag-corsair","tag-curtiss","tag-dave","tag-electrician","tag-espiritu-santo","tag-field","tag-fighter","tag-force","tag-guadalcanal","tag-henderson","tag-hicks","tag-homewood","tag-kittyhawk","tag-lockheed","tag-new","tag-over","tag-owen","tag-p-40","tag-podcast","tag-rnzaf","tag-royal","tag-santo","tag-santos","tag-second","tag-segi-point","tag-servicing","tag-show","tag-squadron","tag-two","tag-unit","tag-ventura","tag-veteran","tag-war","tag-warhawk","tag-wings","tag-world","tag-ww2","tag-wwii","tag-zealand","tag-zealanders","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4902"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4902\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5023,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4902\/revisions\/5023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgeairforce.org.nz\/WONZShow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}