The last of the 617 squadron Dambusters has died.
Les Munro, 96, of Tauranga, passed away at 12pm after spending two weeks in hospital.
96-year-old Les Munro has passed away. Photo: File.
New Zealand Bomber Command chief executive Peter Wheeler had dinner with Les about a month ago and says he seemed fine.
However, the former World War II pilot had been in hospital for the last two weeks due to heart problems.
Peter first heard of Les' passing at about 12pm and says up until 10 days ago he was online and talking.
Les was a patron of the NZ Bomber Command.
It's understood he died peacefully, surrounded by family.
Les during his younger days. Photo: Supplied.
In April, Les handed over his medals to Lord Ashcroft to raise money for the ongoing upkeep of the Bomber Command memorial at Green Park in London.
At the age of 95, he was also awarded the French Legion of Honour at a ceremony in Auckland.
Les was involved in the World War II raids which involved bombers from the RAF's 617 Squadron drop bouncing bombs on three dams in Germany's industrial heartland of the Ruhr Valley in May 1943.
Les, who went on to be mayor of Waitomo, piloted one of those planes but had to turn his Lancaster bomber back after it was hit by flak over Holland.
It took 67 years after the raids for the Bomber Command Memorial to be unveiled in London's Green Park, commemorating those from Bomber Command who were killed.
A selection of photos of our late NZBCA Patron and good friend, Squadron Leader John Leslie (Les) Munro CNZM, DSO, QSO, DFC, JP.Les passed away last night following heart problems, at the age of 96.
Posted by The New Zealand Bomber Command Association on Monday, 3 August 2015
4 comments
A true hero
Posted on 04-08-2015 15:24 | By BullShtAlert
A man who literally put others before himself, from his dangerous mission over Germany to his gifting his war medals to be sold in aid of the bomber command memorial. We don't acknowledge people like Mr Munro enough.
les munro
Posted on 04-08-2015 15:26 | By dumbkof2
so very sad a real gentleman
A Hero
Posted on 04-08-2015 16:55 | By Kenworthlogger
Why do we knight people like stupid all blacks and not people like Les Munro. This man really did serve his country. Rest in peace. We shall never forget!
A real hero passes....
Posted on 04-08-2015 18:03 | By sambo's back
thanks for you and your mates, fighting for and giving us our freedom, rest easy, and would not Les have been worthy of a bronze statue on the waterfront?.
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