“DEANS—On January 25, at New Plymouth, Flight Lieutenant John Humfrey Deans (R.N.Z.A.F.), husband of Rosemary Deans, and eldest son of John Deans, “Kirkstyle.” Coalgate. (Air accident.)” [Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23856, 27 January 1943, Page 1]

“When an aircraft of the R.N.Z.A.F. engaged in an operational training exercise flew into a cliff during fog yesterday, the entire crew of four lost their lives. The personnel concerned were:— Flight-lieutenant John Humfrey Deans; wife, Mrs J. H. Deans (stet), of Bulls. Flying-officer James Derrick Philson; father, Mr R. T. Philson, of Auckland. Sergeant John Andrews Power; father, Mr J. L. Power, of Okato, New Plymouth. Sergeant Hugh Winton Steel; father, Mr George Steel, of Wellington.” [Evening Star, Issue 24412, 26 January 1943, Page 2]