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Full Name
Eric Peter Shorthouse
Rank Last Held
Pilot Officer
Forename(s)
Eric Peter
Surname
Shorthouse
Also Known As
  • Peter Shorthouse
  • Shorty
War
World War II, 1939-1945
Serial No.
NZ4212607
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
24 May 1921
Place of Birth
Portsmouth, England
Religion
Church of England
First Known Rank
Sergeant
Occupation before Enlistment
Pilot
Next of Kin
Mrs M. Shorthouse (mother), Waimauku, New Zealand
Marital Status
Single
Enlistment Date
February 1943
Age on Enlistment
21
Body on Embarkation
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Embarkation Date
1 January 1944
Place of Embarkation
Ardmore or Whenuapai, New Zealand
Vessel
RNZAF C47 Dakota
Destination
Pacific Islands
Military Training
Pilot training
Campaigns
Pacific
Military Awards
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
  • Mentioned in Despatches (MiD)
Last Unit Served
Royal New Zealand Air Force, 15 Squadron
Place of Death
New Ireland
Date of Death
12 April 1945
Age at Death
23
Year of Death
1945
Cause of Death
Killed in action
Memorial Name
Bourail Memorial, Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery, New Caledonia
Memorial Reference
Panel 5.
Obituary
The Manawatu Herald Friday 20 April 1945
Biographical Notes
  • Peter Shorthouse was the second of three sons of John Stephen Shorthouse and Marguerite Shorthouse (nee Gargrave). His older brother, John Sidney Shorthouse (born 11 April 1920) served with the Royal Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War 2. His younger brother, Robert Clive (born 9 August 1922) served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Middle East.
  • Eric Peter Shorthouse was known by his second name, Peter. The family do not recall why this is so.
  • From the time Peter Shorthouse qualified as a pilot his brother notes that all his service, including training, operations and active tour of duties accumulates to a total of 12 weeks after allowances for illness and other mishaps.
  • Peter had one flying accident and shot down one enemy aircraft in this time and showed a remarkably strong devotion to duty. During this time he was awarded both the DFC and m.i.d. Normally these awards would not be given in this fashion but were awarded in this case because of the exceptional quality and selflessness of service given, where the exceptional became the norm. It is most unusual to see a Pilot Officer with a DFC and an m.i.d. and is a reflection on the level of service given. From a letter to the Armoury Manager, Auckland War Memorial Museum by Mr R C Shorthouse.
  • Peter Shorthouse was attached to No. 15 Fighter Squadron. This squadron was formed in June 1942 and disbanded in October 1945. It flew Kittyhawks, 1942-44 and Corsairs, 1944-45. It was stationed in Tonga, Cuadalcanal, New Georgia, Santo, Bougainville and Green Island between 1942 and 1945.
  • His flight to Fiji was aboard RNZAF C47 NZ3503 of No. 40 Squadron.
  • Killed in action due to engine failure
Description of Image
  • Bourail Memorial panels 5th from left Panel 5
  • Bourail Memorial, Panel 5. names
Sources Used
  • Correspondence with family
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission. URL: http://www.cwgc.org
  • Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch: Volplane Press.
Previous Military Experience
Territorial Army