NEW-ZEALAND-L Archives

Archiver > NEW-ZEALAND > 2008-09 > 1220603057


From: "Paul" <>
Subject: Re: [nz] When did NZ get a Navy?
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 20:24:17 +1200
In-Reply-To: <006001c90ef2$58b68180$5e02a8c0@home958gci9bjs>


Suzanne,
In answer to your subject line query the following taken from
http://www.navymuseum.mil.nz/history/time/19-cent/overview/default.htm
states:- On October 1,1941 King George VI granted New Zealand's naval forces
the title of Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), in recognition of New Zealand's
larger, essentially self-sufficient, Navy.

Previous to this date 'our' Navy was theoretically part of the Royal Navy
as follows (from the same website):
- From 1921 our operational naval force, although funded by Wellington and
increasingly manned by New Zealanders, was entitled the New Zealand Division
of the Royal Navy. The New Zealand Division comprised two cruisers and a
training minesweeper until World War II (1939-45).

May I suggest you look at the site as above - they have links to other
sites that may be beneficial to you and also a 'contact form' which will
enable you to contact them with your query - they may be able to point you
in the right direction to solve your dilemma.

Best Regards
Paul

-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:]On Behalf Of suzanne
Sent: Friday, 5 September 2008 12:57 p.m.
To:
Subject: [nz] When did NZ get a Navy?


Fellow listers.

Is there someone with military knowledge who can help?

I am trying to solve a mystery about my father's years early in WW2.
W.Neill RASMUSSEN 1925 -1973 joined the Navy at 16 yrs (according to Mum)
He did not wear a uniform as such..bell-bottomed trousers but no cap or
insignia.
In his possession was a copy of the "Blue Jackets Manuel 1940".
Inside cover reads: W.N.RASMUSSEN. RNZN. Q28.Auckland. 20th Feb 1941.

Was the book given to NZ sailors as a manuel like US sailors?
Did he join RNZN and was seconded to US?
Why is it so difficult to get information? My brother (ex RNZN) has tried
going through the normal channels and no success.
We do have Dad's file from the Defence Dept. Dad served in RNZAF from Aug
1944. Nothing of his time in the Navy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Suzanne (Brisbane)


The List Guidelines

http://new-zealand-l.blogspot.com/

-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to
with the word 'unsubscribe' without the
quotes in the subject and the body of the message
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.16/1651 - Release Date: 9/4/2008
6:54 PM

This thread: