W/Cmdr J. M. Checketts was was born in Invercargill, New Zealand, on 20th February, 1912, and was educated at the Invercargill South School and Southland Technical College. A motor mechanic by trade, he was twenty-eight (an advanced age for a trainee fighter pilot) when he joined the RNZAF in October 1940.
He graduated from his Wings course in June 1941 as a Pilot Officer and was posted to the United Kingdom. After converting to Spitfires, John joined 485(NZ) Squadron in November 1941.
On 12th February, 1942, the unit took part in operations over the Channel when the German battleships ’Scharnhorst’ and ’Gneisenau’ made their dash from Brest to reach safety in German ports.
On 4th May, 1942, John was shot down, bailing out over the English Channel and eventually being rescued from his dinghy by the Royal Navy.
In June, 1942, he was posted to Sailor Malans’ Gunnery School before continuing to No 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron based at Biggin Hill in January 1943. John was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and given command of A Flight in April.
On 30th May, 1943, he shot down an FW 190 5-8 miles south east of Trouville.
In July, Johnny was promoted to Squadron Leader to command 485 (NZ) Squadron at Biggin Hill. On 15th July, he shot down an FW 190, on the 27th he destroyed two more, and on the 31st he shot down a Bf 109G.
Leading the unit over St Pol on 9th August, 1943, John led a section against eight Bf 109’s and destroyed three of them. The other three New Zealand pilots in the section each destroyed one and John damaged one of the two remaining 109’s as it escaped. For this action he was awarded the DFC.
While acting as high cover for bombers attacking an airfield near Amiens on 19th August, 1943. the Squadron was jumped by a force of FW 190’s and Bf 109’s. In a running battle John probably destroyed an FW 190 and damaged another.
On 6th September, 1943, 485 Squadron flew high cover for Marauders bombing the marshalling yards at Serquex. The Spitfires were attacked by twenty FW 190’s from above. John shot one down but was then attacked by several others and his aircraft set on fire. Burned and wounded, he struggled to bale out. On landing he was approached by a French boy, who helped John on to his bicycle and then wheeled him to a spinney.
The next day he was taken by a Frenchman to his own home, where his injuries were tended by the frenchman's wife.
Having been passed from one house to the next by the French Resistance, John eventually met another 485 pilot, Sergeant Kearins, who had been shot down on 15th July. These two were joined by a group of 11other escapees and taken across the English Channel in a fishing boat on 21st October, 1943.
John was posted to the Fighter Wing of the Central Gunnery School as an instructor.
In April, 1944, he was given command of No. 1 Squadron equipped with the Hawker Typhoon but after six weeks was promoted to Wing Commander to lead 142 Spitfire Wing at RAF Horne. He later led this Wing from Westhampnett, Merston and Manston until 26th September, 1944. His last operation was a high escort cover over Arnhem on that date when he shared in the destruction of a Bf 109 with one of his flight commanders.
In 1945, John 'Johnny' Checketts was appointed Wing Commander Tactics at the Central Fighter Establishment.
He had been awarded the DFC on 13 August, 1943, the DSO in December, 1943, US Silver Star in August, 1944, and the Polish Cross of Valour in April, 1945.
John had destroyed 14½ enemy aircraft, probably destroyed 3 and damaged 11.
After the war he returned to the RNZAF, and became Station Commander of RNZAF Stations Wigram, Fiji and Taieri before leaving to take up aerial topdressing.
John Checketts passed away aged 94 at Christchurch on 21st April, 2006.
