RNZAF FLTLT Remembered
SQNLDR Simon Jensen
SQNLDR Simon Jensen with the memorial to FLTLT William (Bill) Waterhouse. (WN-08-0037-68).
Flight Lieutenant William (Bill) Waterhouse (ex- No. 5 and No. 3 Squadrons, RNZAF) was killed in an RAAF Iroquois training accident near Canberra on 29 January 1969 aged 25. A popular pilot who flew Sunderlands in the last years of this fleet, William had re-rolled to helicopters in 1967. He had been posted to South Vietnam to serve as a Pilot for No. 9 Squadron RAAF who were flying operationally in the Vietnam War. As the first Maori helicopter pilot in the RNZAF the Kiwi pilots already serving in Vietnam with No.9 Squadron were warmly anticipating his arrival and the fun they would have at the Aussie’s expense. The tragic accident also killed the RAAF Pilot-captain and hit many in both Air Forces hard. Bill had grown up in Central Hawkes Bay and attended Elsthorpe Primary then Hastings High School. While serving on No. 3 Squadron myself in the mid 1990s, and as another old-boy of Elsthorpe, I had thought it would be great to see an Iroquois visit Elsthorpe School and some kind of memento presented to reconnect the RNZAF and No 3 SQN to the school and the story of William Waterhouse. The idea lay dormant until this year when it occurred to me that the 40th anniversary of his death was approaching and our Iroquois fleet (and I) were approaching retirement from the Service. Once I contacted the school I found a huge level of support towards the idea and the local and National RSA (in the guise of President AVM (Rtd.) Robin Klitscher) were equally enthusiastic. Joint Force HQ and No. 3 Squadron were happy to accept the school visit task and Ohakea’s Maintenance Support Squadron were asked to provide a suitable memorial. Neither the school nor I expected most of an Iroquois Main Rotor Blade, but after SGT Bing and his team had finished it was a piece of art! A formal unveiling ceremony was held just prior to ANZAC Day and it proved very moving. A good number of William’s ex-RNZAF mates turned out as did most of the district. With the Iroquois there (only just- thanks Muscles) the interest was high and the small school put on a great show. For me the highlight was meeting William’s brother who was obviously thrilled that William was being remembered in such a significant way. With the hindsight of 27 years service I recognise that honouring our history and traditions are an important facet of who we are, so I really appreciated the chance to arrange this event. Many thanks to all who contributed to the remembrance.