Gordon Francis Stevens was one a small number of RNZAF personnel to die while on active service in New Zealand during World War Two.
Gordon was born 31 January 1915, the son of Francis and Mabel Stevens of New Plymouth. He attended Moturoa School and was a keen rugby player, rower and involved with the New Plymouth Cycle and Athletic Clubs.
Before the war he as the proprietor of a grocery business, G F Stevens Ltd, in Waitara. He married Joyce Ellen Feakins and they had a child.
In August 1941 Gordan enlisted at the Ground Training School in Levin as Air Gunner/Wireless Operator and in October of the same year was sent to Canada for further training. In May 1942 he was awarded his Air Gunner Badge and promoted to Sergeant. By August he was posted back to Nelson, New Zealand and it was from here, as a crew member of a Hudson Bomber that he lost his life.
The aircraft was on a training flight over Tasman Bay on 29 September 1942, when the it crashed into the sea. Six of the seven crew drowned, including Gordan. The only survivor was a Warrant Officer Colway. Gordan’s body was never recovered. He is remembered on the Wellington Provincial Memorial, Karori Cemetery, Wellington.
Documents
Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945, Archives New Zealand
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