Friday 25 October 2024

413858 Flying Officer Maurice Carson Jolly, (24/4/1917-13/11/1942). "the prevalent smell of fish"


Mr M. C. Jolly, of the local court staff, was in Dunedin last week for a medical examination in connection with his entry into the Air Force. Mr Jolly was successful in passing the examination and left by plane on Saturday to spend his annual leave in Auckland.  -Cromwell Argus, 23/12/1940.


CENTRAL OTAGO

CROMWELL 

Social Function. — There was a large attendance in the Athenaeum Hall on Tuesday night on the occasion of a social to Leading Aircraftman M. C. Jolly, of the R.N.Z.A.F., and a welcome home to Sappers D. Milne and A. Anderson, recently invalided back from the Middle East. The function took the form of a social and dance, interspersed with items by the following: — Boys Brigade band; solos, Mrs F. J. Tempero and Mrs R. Orr; pianoforte solos, Mr L. H. Jolly; guitar selection, Sister Denny; accordion solos, Mr L. Betts. Associated with the guests of honour on the stage were the Mayor (Mr J. C. Parcell), Mr E. Hunter (president of the local branch of the R.S.A.), and the Rev. S. A. G. Hurd (Anglican). The Mayor suitably welcomed Sappers Milne and Anderson. and expressed the hope that they would soon be restored to health. Referring to Leading Aircraftman Jolly, the Mayor stressed the important part played by the Air Force in the present conflict and made a presentation to him, wishing him every success in his future career. Mr Hurd also spoke and handed over a gift on behalf of the Anglican congregation.  -Otago Daily Times, 5/11/1941.


Personal. — Mr and Mrs L. M. Jolly have received official advice that their son, Mr M. C. Jolly, who trained in Canada with the R.N.Z.A.F., has received his commission as a pilot officer.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/5/1942.


SOLDIERS LETTER

The following are interesting extracts from letters received from Pilot-Officer M. C. Jolly, son of Mr and Mrs L. M. Jolly, Cromwell: — "At the moment I am in Halifax which is about all the censorship regulations will allow me to say. It is an awful city and if the prevalent smell of fish (even during comparatively cold weather) is any indication, I would not care to be here on a hot summer's day. Well to start at the beginning, on Friday, 27th March; I got my wings and at the same time my commission and left Dunville with some other lads for Niagara Falls, and although Saturday was raining and misty, I managed to get some interesting pictures. I hitched from Niagara to Toronto and stayed with friends there that night. At 9.15 a.m., on Sunday, I caught the express for Montreal but broke my journey at Kingston in order to see Harry Perriam, and it was good to see him again. I'm afraid we talked a lot, in retrospect and the few hours at my disposal simply flew by and I guess we both felt a bit homesick when we said good-bye. I hope I see him 'over there.' Arrived at Montreal at 10.30 p.m., booked a room at an hotel and went straight to bed. Next day was spent in obtaining a visa to enter the U. S. A., and also in looking round the town, The population in Montreal is mostly French — all notices are written in both English and French, and the conversation is mostly carried on in French. Caught the 7.30 p.m. express on Monday for New York city and arrived there at 7.20 a.m., Tuesday. Quite a number of the lads were on the train and we all clocked in at the Hotel Picadilly which is only half a block away from Times square, on Broadway. This hotel is the official headquarters of the R.A. F. on leave in New York. Well, first of all. I may say the next three days were the best I have ever experienced. The American people are so wonderful that they embarrass you with their hospitality. All shows were free — night clubs charged no cover charge and we were taken on tours all round the city. On Tuesday we were taken over Radio City and saw the very latest in radio and television. Each of us had a turn at being televised whilst our mates watched at two receivers in another room. The television screen is about, 10 x 8, (inches) and the image is perfect. On Tuesday evening I had a short walk down Broadway (the Great White Way) and had a look at all the big signs and being tired out after my journey (with little sleep) went to bed early. On Wednesday morning we went on a three-hour tour of the city, and saw some sights in this short time, including skyscrapers. slums, Park avenue, General Grant's tomb, the Hudson river, and the liner Normandie, lying on its side (a pathetic sight). On Wednesday afternoon I went up to the top of the Empire State Building — 1250 feet high, reaching the top floor by means of an elevator travelling at 1000 feet per minute. The view from the top is fantastic and almost transports one to another world. From 4 .p.m. until 6 p.m.. three of us were entertained by a Mr McPherson at his apartments in Park avenue. His sitting room is furnished in 16th century furniture and the carpets on the floor came from a Persian Palace. He was of a very retiring disposition and we were sorry to leave his home. On Wednesday night there, was an Anzac dance arranged for us and about 100 New Zealand and Australian airmen attended. A radio call is sent out for partners for the Anzacs and there is no lack of beautiful partners, and the lads did enjoy themselves. We were also entertained at two dinners at which the hostess was Nola Luxford with whom I had an interesting talk. Clutha McKenzie also attended the dinner. At the dance on Wednesday night I made a record, which I am posting to you. Evidently the N. Z. uniform was a novelty in New York. I left New York at 9.30 a.m. on Friday for Montreal and arrived there at 7.20 p.m. the same evening, and as it was Good Friday I went to an Anglican Church evening service. I left Montreal at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday for Halifax." 

''This may be the last letter written from my training camp in Canada as we finish up here on which is the big day in our Air Force career. Whether or not I get three stripes or a peaked cap is only secondary to getting your wings — I have no idea which I shall get. Since coming out. of hospital last Tuesday, I have been working very hard and have been (Continued next page)  -Alexandra Herald and Goldfields Gazette, 1/7/1942.

Flying Officer Jolly, with "peaked cap."


Mrs D. G. Anderson has received word that her cousin, Maurice Jolly, son of Mr and Mrs Jolly, Cromwell, was killed in action in the Air Force.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 12/11/1942.


Maurice Jolly was killed in a Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber, a type which had been withdrawn from active service and used as a training plane.  He took off on the day of his death with three others on board from No. 5 Operational Training Unit and crashed 19 minutes into the flight. There were no survivors and I have found no report of the cause of the crash.


FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

JOLLY — Pilot Officer Maurice Carson, beloved elder son of Mr and Mrs L. M. Jolly, Cromwell, and loved brother of Sergeant Pilot L. H. Jolly. R.N.Z.A.F., killed on active service. November 13; aged 25 years. "He died that we might live."  -Otago Daily Times, 1/12/1942.


CENTRAL OTAGO

CROMWELL Patriotic Committee. — The adjourned meeting of the Patriotic Committee was held last week, when there was only a small attendance. Mr W. Webb presided, Prior to the ordinary business, the chairman referred to the bereavement suffered by a member of the committee. Mr L. M. Jolly, in the death of his son, Pilot Officer M. C. Jolly, on active service, and a resolution of sympathy was carried in the usual manner.  -Otago Daily Times, 8/12/1942.


IN MEMORIAM

JOLLY. — A tribute to the memory of pilot-Officer Maurice Carson Jolly, killed on active service, Scotland, November 13, 1912, beloved son of Margaret and the late Leslie Jolly and brother of F/Sgt L. H. Jolly, Cromwell. 

JOLLY. M. C. Pilot-Officer, R.N.Z A.F. — A tribute to the memory of Maurice Carson jolly. killed on active scrv.ee. November 13, 1942. Fondly remembered by Carson, Burnside, Frith, Morrin and families.  -New Zealand Herald, 13/11/1943.


Cromwell Cemetery.


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