Fallen tree sparks WW2 research

[pixc]

Yeseterday, my area was hit by some gusty yuckie weather. I was alerted to a tree that had come to grief 30mtrs from my house. I went and inspected..as you do. To my dismay, it was the tree that was planted in the 40s, in memory of my grandads brother, whom was lost in WW2. I dont have a lot of information, and it is infact information that was handed to me by mouth. He was a pilot, and his plane was lost over netherlands.

Were do I start researching this kinda stuff?

Also, Im thinking about about getting some of the wood made into something, maybe chopping boards?? and giving them to other relatives etc. Is there something more appropriate? and were do I start, a cabinet maker?

[Laava]

You would have to mill it into appropriate sizes and store/stack it to season it. Would probably take a while? What type of tree is it?

[James Deuce]

Yeseterday, my area was hit by some gusty yuckie weather. I was alerted to a tree that had come to grief 30mtrs from my house. I went and inspected..as you do. To my dismay, it was the tree that was planted in the 40s, in memory of my grandads brother, whom was lost in WW2. I dont have a lot of information, and it is infact information that was handed to me by mouth. He was a pilot, and his plane was lost over netherlands.

Were do I start researching this kinda stuff?

Also, Im thinking about about getting some of the wood made into something, maybe chopping boards?? and giving them to other relatives etc. Is there something more appropriate? and were do I start, a cabinet maker?


Best place to start is his service number and the unit he was serving with when he died.

PM and I can get you started.

[Katman]

Bit of a long shot but this story springs to mind.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00100.htm

[Trumpess]

Thats a real shame about the tree Pixc.
Is it a decent size?? What kind of tree is it?

A cabinet maker would be a great place to start.
I wouldnt go to a maker who has a big manufacturing business, I would hunt down an oldish small-time cabinet maker, as he would have the "old-time" skills and expertise and produce top quality work with "love".
Thats a fantastic idea of getting the wood made into useful furniture. Coffee table, stools, chopping boards etc. They would last a very long time in memory of a brave hero.
Youd be able to get some usefull ideas of a furniture web site perhaps?

As for hunting down info on your Great Uncle, it would be ideal to have his Air Force ID number. That would make your search alot easier.
A web site to look at to start would be http://www.nzdf.mil.nz
I did have a specific page saved but has dissapeared sorry :( as i have been down this path myself.
I had a Great Uncle who was a pilot in WW2 and went down over Malaya. I have the "Mother's Medal" from his honour, which is handed down to the eldest daughter. Its an awesome treasure to bestow.

There are a couple of ex-military members here in KB who maybe able to help you. I hope you are able to find what your looking for in your search.
Good luck with it.

[pixc]

You would have to mill it into appropriate sizes and store/stack it to season it. Would probably take a while? What type of tree is it?

The tree is Sweetgum? Prickly pods, 5 fingered leaf. Half the tree remains intact.

[pixc]

Bit of a long shot but this story springs to mind.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00100.htm

This is VERY a similar story I have been told. But am not sure if this story and Guncles story got mixed up together. Thank-you for this!

[peasea]

I doubt that a cabinet maker would be interested until the timber had been milled and seasoned. If you make something out of wet (green, they call it) timber it will distort as it dries and your effort comes to nought. Chopping boards might not be so much of an issue but you're much better off with dried product.

Talk to a sawmill and stash the timber until it dries, then look for a cabinet maker or possibly a woodturner. (Clocks, perhaps?)

[Swoop]

5 fingered leaf.
You will find a few KB'ers interested in a tree of that sort...:cool:

As suggested, contact a sawmill and have it milled down to board sizes. You will need to fillet stack the boards so that they can dry out (slowly!) out of direct sunlight.
In about 6 months time you should contact a smaller cabinetmaker (no, not "Finn-sized" Cabby) and have a chat about what he/she can do for you with the timber.:first:

[Warr]

The tree is Sweetgum? Prickly pods, 5 fingered leaf. Half the tree remains intact.
Sweetgum <> Liquidamber. Lovely shade tree, but the wind can do some damage to them in my experience :)

[Skyryder]

and his plane was lost over netherlands.

Were do I start researching this kinda stuff?

The wifes family have a book that lists all nz pilots who flew in WW2. One of the Auntie's husband was shot down in a bomber over the Netherlands and this is listed with a few eyewitness details.

Give me a few days and I'll try and track down some info on this book.

Well the sister in law has just rang so I asked her. The book is called Night after Night by Max Lambert and is still available.
http://www.rsa.org.nz/review/bs2005february/bookshelf_4.html It's a start. good luck




Skyryder

[CookMySock]

I would be tempted to talk to the cabinet maker first, before you lifted a finger. He'll tell you exactly what to do. It sounds like a great opportunity.

I spent some time in the far north, and there was always some great lump of kauri being dug out of the swamps.

Steve


Steve