Tunic of Pilot-Officer A. J. Muir DFC and Bar, RNZAF (Dunedin)

[wizardman]

Pilot-Officer A. J. Muir DFC and Bar, RNZAF (Dunedin), 7 Squadron RAF (Lancasters) Pathfinders. One of only 84 New Zealanders in WW2 to receive a second DFC.

[Anderson]

This provides a little background, from "New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force" published in 1956.

Many New Zealanders who flew with pathfinder squadrons during this last year of war were on their second or third tours of operations. One pilot, Squadron Leader Ashworth,1 was to complete a total of 110 sorties which involved some five hundred hours on operations. Ashworth, who began his career with No. 75 Squadron early in 1941, had also flown many sorties in the Middle East before taking a prominent part in the formation of the PFF and the evolution of its tactics. Squadron Leader G. M. Allcock, who had flown transport aircraft in the Middle East and then served as a flight commander with the New Zealander bomber squadron, was to complete his second tour of bombing operations with No. 7 Squadron. With this same unit Squadron Leader Bray2 and Flight Lieutenant Muir,3 now on their second tours, were outstanding as captains of target-marking aircraft. Squadron Leader J. M. Smith, who had flown consistently since 1941, was equally successful with No. 97 Squadron.
With the main bomber force, Flight Lieutenant Allen4 and Squad-

1 Squadron Leader A. Ashworth, DSO, DFC and bar, AFC; RAF; born Gisborne, 3 May 1920; draughtsman; joined RNZAF Sep 1939; transferred RAF Jun 1940.

2 Squadron Leader A. C. Bray, DFC and bar; born Ashburton, 8 May 1914; clerk; joined RNZAF Sep 1940.

3 Flight Lieutenant A. J. Muir, DFC and bar; born Dunedin, 30 May 1913; plumber joined RNZAF Apr 1942.

[wizardman]

Great Info Anderson, thank you. Its been pretty hard getting information on him.

[AZPhil]

Wonderful uniform!!!!

Congratulation's on that addition

Semper Fi
Phil

[Anderson]

I only have one question in my mind about this tunic and that is why the pilot wings are RAF and not RNZAF? The text from the book says he joined the RNZAF in 1942, if he began pilot training with the RNZAF then I would expect RNZAF wings. Probably need to research his career to answer that question.

[Anderson]

Here's some more I've found out; the full name of this pilot was "Allan John Muir", he was born 30/5/1913 in Dunedin, NZ, and was a plumber by trade.
Service number; 422307
Allan joined the RNZAF in April 1942 and survived the war, but sadly died at age 57 on 19 June 1970. He is buried at Anderson Bay RSA (Veterans) cemetery in Dunedin.
I'm tracking down an obituary which hopefully will give more information on his war service, but it appears after the war he returned to the plumbing business and became president of the "plumber's guild".

[wizardman]

Thanks Anderson, thats all ive been able to find out as well.

[MilitariaOne]

Greetings All,

Here are some of his promotions' lists. And here is his find a grave page.Allan John Muir (1913-1970) - Find a Grave Memorial

I have placed red arrows on the following lists so you can find his name a tad faster.

These lists are hosted on Fold3 and too, on his Ancestry.com page, unfortunately, no pictures of Allan were forthcoming.

Best,

V/r Lance

Click on Images to enlarge.

Orders dated 14 APR 1944:


Orders dated 14 OCT 1944:


Orders set one dated 11 OCT 1945


Orders set two dated 11 OCT 1945


And a ship's manifest from the USS Wharton (AP-7) in 1943. Allan, is on the very top of the list.

[wizardman]

wow MilitariaOne, that is some fantastic research!! Thank you for that. You and Anderson have been a great help in bringing this Airmans life and heroism to light, much appreciated.

[Anderson]

Still doesn't answer why the wings are RAF and not RNZAF. He was a serving RNZAF pilot with the RAF 7th Squadron. Flying Stirling bombers and later a Lancaster as a pathfinder. If he left New Zealand as a RNZAF pilot the wings on his tunic bought in London should have "NZ" on them. There are a few possibilites; 1) he bought the uniform, dated July 1944 in London and didn't have a spare NZ wings badge. 2) The original RNZAF wings were removed at some point after the war, and replaced with RAF type. 3) He completed pilot training with the RAF in Britain so was issued RAF wings.
Hopefully more of his service record will emerge to answer these questions.

Great work Lance.