Cdr "Pete" Perrett
Cdr Norman (Pete) Perrett RN was born in NZ and died in Auckland on 4th July 2006. He was 86.
He joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1941 and qualifies a Pilot, serving in 882 Squadron in Victorious from December 1942 and then in 896 and 881 in the escort carrier Pursuer until late 1944, flying Wildcats. Included ops off Norway against Tirpitz, supporting the D-Day landings and in the Med as "Tempy S/Lt and Lt (A) RNZNVR."
Mentioned in Despatches twice. He was then briefly CO of 891 Squadron which was intended for ops against Japan with Hellcat nightfighters. Starting at Eglinton in June 1945 they moved to Nutts Corner Belfast disbanded in Sept at the end of WWII.
He transferred to the RN in 1946 and served on fighter development and jet evaluation units in the late 40s and early 50s, followed by a spell with the USN on Coral Sea.
He became CO 800 Seahawks in 1957 and led the aerobatic team of nine at Farnborough in 1958. He was promoted Commander and was awarded the MBE. He was Wings at Yeovilton in 1960, then Wings of Hermes. Later to DNAW, XO at Lee on Solent, and Portsmouth. He must have left the RN about 1970.
WAM - I can forward you my modest file of supporting evidence if you wish. I am also hoping to locate an obituary. We appear to be a bit handicapped because the London Gazette seems to have "improved" their search facility to the extent that it is now unusable for this sort of purpose.
LFH