GREER, Oscar Ignatius

Son of George Greer & Mary Lynch

b. 1922 NZ - d. 1987 NZ

World War II, 1939-1945

Royal New Zealand Navy

Rank: Ordinary seaman

Occupation before Enlistment: Farm hand

Service number: RNZN 5280)

Embarkation details: Ordinary Seaman; HMNZS Philomel; Royal New Zealand Navy

Military service -

  • Philomel, July 1942 - August 1942

  • Cape Brett, 31 August 1942 - February 1943

  • Philomel, February 1943

  • Cook III, February 1943 - July 1943

  • Philomel, July 1943 - August

  • Cape Brett, March 1944 - December 1944

  • Dec 1944 - Feb 1945, Royal New Zealand Navy, HMNZS Tamaki

  • Philomel, February 1945

  • Black Prince, February 1945 - September 1945

  • Golden Hind, September 1945 - October 1945

  • Cook, October 1945 - December 1945

Medals and Awards -

  • 1939-1945 Star

  • Pacific Star

  • War Medal 1939-1945

  • New Zealand War Service Medal A

Oswald enlisted on 19 July 1942 at Auckland, aged 19 years. He was recorded as being single, 5, 5" tall with blue eyes and brown hair. He had a tattoo on his left arm of a snake wrapped around a sword. His last address was Tiritea, Fitzherbert West, Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand. His next of kin was Mary Greer (mother), rural mail delivery, Fitzherbert West, Palmerston North.

Discharged 25 December 1945, at end of hostilities.

Source: Military documents; Auckland Cenotaph