Hilton D. Ronald (Chook) Rayment (1914-2000) by Max Avery (1997)

DateMay 1997Reference NumberAV 22-003/01DescriptionInterviewed by Max Avery. “Chook” Rayment, as he was universally known, was, in a sense one of the very lucky men of the Second World War. A Royal New Zealand Air Force fighter pilot, he was shot down over Crete on July 23, 1943, captured and incarcerated in Stalag Luft Three, the German prison camp from which the Great Escape was made through a 3136 foot tunnel named “Harry”.

“Chook” Rayment was an active participant in the construction of “Harry”. A Carpenter, he made the bellows which circulated the air to the tunnelers.

On the night of March 23 - 24, 1944, the first of 220 prisoners of war selected to escape began to leave the tunnel mouth. 76 made their exit before the breakout was discovered and at first, “Chook” Rayment cursed his luck, because he was still in the tunnel, waiting his turn, when the alarm was given.

It was only some weeks later, when it was learned that the Gestapo, on the orders of Himmler and Kaltenbrunner, Had captured and murdered 50 of those who left the tunnel, that he realized how lucky he had been not to get out.

“Chook” Rayment I was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on September 12, 1914, and went to live in Tauranga in 1918 to live with Mr and Mrs E. Fenn – his Uncle Edward and Aunt Minnie – at Ōtūmoetai. He grew up with their son Bert, who remained a Tauranga resident that developed business interests and Katikati and Waihi.

“Chook” went first to the new Infant School on Cameron Rd at 5th Ave , and then attended the one room Ōtūmoetai School before being enrolled in the Tauranga District High School on Cameron Rd. He rode a horse across The Waikareao Channel and turned it into a paddock at the end of 7th Ave before going on to school.

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In keeping with the intention of the original interviewees and interviewers, and acting in good faith, we have made these available to view here as a record for present and future generations. If you are a family member and would like to contribute additional material or have concerns about this footage, please contact us.CreatorLiving History ProductionsInterviewerAvery, MaxSource of AcquisitionAvery, MaxSourcesGuild of One-Name StudiesOnline Cenotaph

Hilton D. Ronald (Chook) Rayment (1914-2000) by Max Avery (1997)

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RoomClimate controlled room - offsite

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.Cultural/Ethical StatusNoaRestrictionsNo cultural/ethical restrictions apply.CopyrightTauranga City LibrariesLicenseAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga city Libraries AV 22-003/01

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Hilton D. Ronald (Chook) Rayment (1914-2000) by Max Avery (1997)