Laurie Ward reports: Thomas Michael was born 8 April 1924, known as Ike, he died in December 1969 almost two weeks after his brother, Jack. (Ike's service was held in Waitara)
Ike married Allison MacRae of Tikorangi, born 30 September 1934, died in May 1980. They had four daughters, namely: Michelle Suzanne, Jacqueline Cheryl, Patricia Ann and Vicki Lee
.
Anecdotes:
Uncle Ike flew with Pierre Closterman. He flew in a helicopter, the first foray over the 39th parallel in Korea. Ike joined Hip in the NZ Army Coronation Contingent to Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. Uncle Ike showed me how blue vein cheese could be made with copper wire in his laboratory at the Waitara Road Dairy Factory. He drove taxis in Waitara having been also been employed as a inspector of lifestock in the Tirau area. He attended St Stephen's School, an Anglican school for Maori boys situated at Bombay, Auckland. Uncle Ike was a quiet man
In the book 'Wild Winds" by Paul Sorthaug, in the chapter called The Pace Intensifies (April 1945) on page 239 a photo of Uncle Ike has the caption: "Captain Ike Fenton, one of four pilots from 486 who had an inter-Service change after the war. He served in Korea with 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, and is also reputed to have flown spotting operations.
In 1953 he represented the Army at the Queen's coronation and received the Coronation Medal at Buckingham Palace. (Fenton family)
Continuing from the same source: " Ike, who was the squadron's second Maori member, likewise returned back home to his native Taranaki. In 1950 he applied for re-entry into the RNZAF, but before his acceptance came through he joined a NZ Artillery unit training at Waiouru, and left for Korea as an officer with 161 Battery, 16th Field Regiment, RNZA. When it was learned he had flying experience he was quickly grabbed for helicopter work, spotting for both the American and Commonwealth forces."
"In 1953", same source says, "as a Major, Ike represented the New Zealand Army at the Queen's coronation and was Captain of the New Zealand guard at Buckingham Palace. That and receiving his Coronation medal from the Queen on the lawns at Buckingham Palace, were very much the highlights of his career. He then returned to New Zealand before doing another tour of duty in Korea."
The chapter, "The Wild Winds', page 212 shows Ike as Flying Officer Fenton in the snow at Volkel, January 1945 along with other flight crew. Chapter Flak-filled Skies (January 1945-Narch 1945) page 207, photo with caption says: Kiwis from 122 wing in the snow at Volkel January 1945 with Ike in front row, third from the left.
"In Defence of London (June 1944-September 1944) page 167, shows a photo of people 'Relaxing in the sun at Byways - another bed and breakfast house frequented by the squadron during time-off while on the marshes.' Ike is sitting first left in the accompanying photo wearing aviator glasses.
During WWII, with 486 Squadron, he flew the following aircraft: Tiger Moth, Harvard Yale, Master I and II, Hurricane, Typhoon and Tempest. The latter was in Operations, the former in training.
He served in the following theatres of WWII: England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Trained in Canada.
Awarded the following medals and campaign stars: 1939-45 Star (Air Force), France & Germany star, Defence Medal (England), War Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service Medal; Korea Medal, UN Service Medal with Korea Clasp, Commonwealth Korea Medal, Coronation Medal.
Anecdote: I work with the greatgranddaughter of Andrew Petersen who lived down the junction of Pennington and Rona Road, and she spoke with her aunt, Nola, who had a childhood crush on Uncle Ike, but he was known as Tom.
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