Personnel who served in Antarctica between 1962 and 1979.
The NZDF has embarked on a project seeking information on individuals who served on the Antarctica continent 1962 to 1979. This is in relation to the Antarctica Veterans Waitangi Tribunal Claim lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal WAI 2500, the Military Veterans Kaupapa Inquiry WAI 2571.
Currently there is no consolidated listing of NZDF personnel who served on the Antarctica Continent between 1962 and 1979 and no definitive listing on who actually deployed. The time delay of 50 to 60 odd years also makes the task of determining who actually deployed more difficult.
It is understood that a number of RNZN and NZ Army personnel served in Antarctica during this period. We are seeking your help to assist in establishing actually who deployed to the “Ice”.
Regrettably time is pressing to complete this project and it would be appreciated if your replies can be forwarded by 30 June 2026. A dedicated email address has been established for your replies. This is: kiwiantarcticvets@gmail.com
If you served in Antarctica between these dates, we ask that you examine the listing
below and:
1 Confirm your deployment, by year and team.
2 Advise and confirm to us the names from the list, of your team mates on your deployment.
3 Advise us of personnel on the list who did not deploy on your team.
4 Any other comments on the identity of personnel who deployed that you believe may be useful to the project team.
5 Provide your updated contact details.
Thank you
The listing referred to isn’t attached – how does one get a copy? It also isn’t clear whether the project includes ships deployed to Antarctica or just land-based personnel.
The NZ Antarctic Veterans Association had a web page that listed details of ships and their people who deployed right back to Endeavour I (The Hillary expedition). I see it has been disabled – there’s no indication why.
There was a post on RNZNCA in Aug 2018 concerning a reunion for Queens Birthday 2019. The organisers (and presumably key members of the Association) were Bill Lochrie and Peter Stent. I wonder if those running Kiwiantarcticvets have access to the info previously gathered?
I will metion this in my response to the enquiry above.
Would this also include :
The early to mid 1960’s – Weather Pickets: The RNZN ships were tasked with acting as weather and Search and Rescue (SAR) picket vessels for the United States Navy’s Operation Deep Freeze.
Location: Ships were typically stationed at 60 degrees South, 170 degrees East. This was roughly 900 miles (1,448 km) south of Bluff, New Zealand.Tours: Deployments consisted of 10 to 12 days on station, enduring the treacherous, ice-heavy waters of the Southern Ocean.
My Name is Lloyd George Miller Services L768141 Driver
I served down at the Antarctica from 9th of October 1976 to 16th of November 1976 as an aircraft loader with the New Zealand army.
I served with LCPL I.J. Arps and LCPL J.P Carlsen. these are the only two soldiers that I can remember as it has been 50 years
Do I remember 60°S?
Being a OD on the Rotoiti 1962 with no room left in the “Jungle” to sling my hammock. I was accomodated in the “Main Drag” with asbestos pipes running thru the main drag inches above my head.
The Comms DO was the Navigator, a Lt. Brown who made us Sparkers polish the brass navigation lights on each side of the open bridge in all types of weather at 60°S. There was one thing that “cracked me up”, and that was reading very long classified intelligence messages on the ZLP CW broadcast. Then, when you arrived back in Dundin a lot of these intelligence reports were reported in the local Otago Times!!
The following have served in Antarctica;
These pers have served as current serving soldiers albeit on secondment to at that time to the DSIR as Scott
Base Winter over staff.
Year Rank Reg No Name Appointment
Arrive / Depart
1 / Nov 1974 – Jan !975 Sgt R38402 Sussmilch B.P. (Red) Base Mechanic.
2/ Nov 1974 – Nov 1975 Sgt L40260 McCullough G.C. (Sooty) Base Engineer.
3/ Nov 1974 – Nov 1975 Cpl U44040 Nickerson C.R. (Nick) Tech Auroral.
Regards,
G.C. McCullough