Public Trust Office roll of honour boards

The Public Trust unveiled a Roll of Honour board of their First World War dead in their Lambton Quay building in 1921 or 1922. The bronze tablet with brass surround contained inscriptions of the names of 26 men followed by part of the poem ‘For our dead’ by Sidney Low:

We can but honour, cherish,

bless, your sacred names;

no words express

the measure of our Thankfulness,

to you, our dead.            

Following the Second World War the Public Trust installed another bronze tablet with the names of that war’s 37 dead alongside the original board.

When the Public Trust moved out of the building to new premises next door in 1982 the boards were removed and at some point put into storage. During the centenary of the First World War staff of the Public Trust recalled the boards from storage and began to consider where they could be displayed. Following discussions with Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, who were moving into the former Public Trust Building in Lambton Quay in October 2015, and the building’s owner, the boards were reinstalled. A rededication ceremony took place in February 2016. 

First World War Roll of Honour

The First World War placed a great burden on New Zealand’s Public Trust Office. Aside from the extra work administering soldiers’ wills and estates, there was a significant impact on the Public Trust’s staffing. By the war’s end in 1918, 135 men had served –  almost half of the organisation's 275 male staff, including about a third of the clerks and cadets from head office in Wellington. Temporary employees, including over 160 women, filled their positions in various offices throughout New Zealand.

Twenty-six Public Trust employees died during the First World War. Their names are recorded on an honour board in the foyer of the Public Trust Office Building in central Wellington.

Of these men, 15 had called Wellington home at some point – five from birth. Five had studied at Victoria University College (now Victoria University of Wellington). Fourteen men listed on the honour board had worked for the Public Trust’s head office, six in Auckland, and one in each of the offices in Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Whanganui, New Plymouth and Hawera. Many were clerks, and there was at least one accountant and one legal officer, as well as senior staff from the Christchurch, Dunedin and New Plymouth offices.

The men were, on the whole, very young when they enlisted for service in the war. All but one was under the age of 25. Of these, nine signed up at or under the minimum age of 20 for overseas service. At the time of their deaths, half were serving as privates, gunners or riflemen. Six were non-commissioned officers, six were second lieutenants, and the Chief Clerk of the Dunedin office, Richard Price, was serving as a major. Price was born in Wellington and attended Kilbirnie School, where his name is inscribed on the memorial gates.

Most of the men served on the Western Front, and 23 lie buried in Europe. Five served at Gallipoli, where two died, three were part of the force that occupied German Samoa at the beginning of the war, and another served in the Senussi Campaign in Egypt. One man – Terence Carroll – died at sea en route to Europe shortly before the end of the war. Delirious with influenza, he jumped into the sea from the transport ship Tahiti­, which had Admiralty instructions not to turn back to collect anyone lost overboard.

The table below contains basic information on the soldiers listed on the Public Trust Office First World War honours board. We have linked each name to his page on Auckland War Memorial Museum's Cenotaph database. From this database, you can also find links to the full service records for each soldier on Archives New Zealand's website. The names below also appear on the Public Service Roll of Honour, published in 1920. Obituaries for three of the men - Dallas Campbell, James McGinley and Leslie Stanley - appeared in the Public Service Journal between 1916 and 1918.

Second World War Roll of Honour

The table below contains basic information on the soldiers listed on the Public Trust Office Second World War honours board. We have linked each name to his page on Auckland War Memorial Museum's Cenotaph database. Brief biographies of each man appear below the table.

† Name is recorded on the Public Trust Office Honours Board as Mannix, F. T. C.  However a change of surname by deed poll to Culling-Mannix is recorded in Routine Orders dated 10 November 1941.

Second World War Biographies

Agar, Trevor Keith

Enlisted in New Plymouth. Employed as a clerk with the Public Trust Office at time of enlistment. Served as a private in the 26th Battalion. Killed in action in Italy on 17 May 1944. Buried at the Cassino War Cemetery.

Blackmore, Herbert George Percy

Born in Wellington on 15 March 1914 and educated at New Plymouth Boys’ High School. Worked as an estates clerk for the Public Trust Office, possibly in New Plymouth. Selected for RAF Short Service Commission and embarked for the United Kingdom on 7 April 1938. Experienced a forced landing at Corfu after flak damage and spent time in the 26th General Hospital in December 1940. Killed on air operations on 20 October 1941 and is listed on the Alamein Memorial. Last rank held was squadron leader, No. 55 Squadron RAF. Son of Herbert and Minnie Swinfield Blackmore (née Godbehear) of New Plymouth.

Broadbent, Stanley

Born in Palmerston North on 9 August 1917. Attended Dannevirke High School and possibly Victoria University College. Worked as an accountant for the Public Trust Office in Wellington. Spent three months in the New Zealand Territorial Force. Trained at RNZAF Levin in December 1941. Served in the Pacific Campaign and killed in air operations on 7 May 1944. Buried at the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea. Last rank was flying officer, No. 17 Squadron RNZAF. Son of Hilton and Florence Broadbent (née Watson) and husband of Margaret Josephine Broadbent (nee Whitfield), all of Dannevirke.

Burnet, Jack Bruce

Born in Wellington on 25 May 1916 and educated at Wellington College and Victoria University College. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Wellington. Trained at RNZAF Levin in September 1941. Attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 11 April 1942. Killed on air operations on 2 October 1943. Listed on the Malta Memorial. Last rank held was flight lieutenant, No. 683 Squadron RAF. Son of William Lewis and Lily Burnet (née Wilson) and husband of Mabel May Burnet (née Jackson); father to one son.

Chambers, Geoffrey Pender

Born in Dunedin on 27 November 1922. Educated at Otago Boys’ High School and was a New Zealand swimming champion. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Wellington. Trained at RNZAF Levin in January 1941. Attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 22 July 1941. Killed in air operations on 5 March 1942. Listed on the Alamein Memorial. Last rank was pilot officer, No. 70 Squadron RAF. Son of John and Susan Chambers (née Hodge) of Wellington.

Churchill, Adrian Hugh

Served with the Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve. Top-scoring Corsair pilot with No. 1833 Squadron NAS on the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. Shot down and killed off the coast of Japan on 7 April 1945. Last rank was lieutenant. Listed on the New Zealand Memorial, Devonport Naval Base, Auckland. Received a posthumous Mention in Despatches in London Gazette, 1 May 1945.

Cottrell, Rex Frederick

Born in Te Puke on 28 December 1922. Educated at Auckland Grammar, Rotorua High and Grammar School and Victoria University College. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Wellington. Trained at RNZAF Levin in November 1941. Embarked for Canada on 2 March 1942 and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in April 1942. Killed on air operations on 3 July 1944. Buried at Lyon (La Doua) French National Cemetery in Rhone, France. Last rank was warrant officer class 2 with No. 256 Squadron RAF. Son of Albert and Ella May Cottrell (née Astley) of Rotorua.

Cowan, James (DFC)

Born in Hastings on 10 May 1912 and educated at Napier Boys’ High School. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Palmerston North. Trained at RNZAF Levin in March 1941. Attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 14 September 1941. Killed on air operations on 12 March 1943 and buried at Newark-Upon-Trent Cemetery in Nottinghamshire, England. Last rank was flying officer with No. 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF. Son of James and Lily Cowan (née Vickers) of Hastings. Received a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 13 May 1943 with the following citation: 'This officer has at all times displayed an unswerving determination to perform his tasks successfully. His courage and leadership have contributed largely to the success achieved by his crew. This officer has obtained many excellent photographs at night.' One of four brothers who served in the air force. Neville Lawrence Roy Cowan and William Bruce Cowan also received the DFC.

Dale, Thomas Wilson

Born in Wellington on 12 May 1919 and educated at Wellington College and Victoria University College. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Wellington. Spent time in the New Zealand Territorial Force. Trained at RNZAF New Plymouth in July 1942. Attached to RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 6 April 1943.  Killed on air operations on 17 June 1944. Listed on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom. Thomas Dale and his navigator, Pilot Office Ronald Joffree Whittleson, were the first New Zealanders to lose their lives flying with No. 100 Group RAF. His brother, James Atkinson Dale, died on 25 August 1944 while flying with No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF. Last rank was pilot officer, No. 199 Squadron RAF. Parents were James Murray and Maude Mary Dale (née Rigg) of Khandallah, Wellington.

Dromgoole, Ian

Born in Lyttelton on 3 October 1915 and educated at Dunedin High School. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Christchurch. Selected for RAF Short Service Commission in April 1939. Embarked for the United Kingdom on 6 May 1939 and attached to the RAF. Killed on air operations on 19 May 1940. Last rank was pilot officer, No. 160 Squadron RAF. His brother, Flight Sergeant Sydney Houston Dromgoole, was killed on air operations on 22 April 1942. Both brothers are listed on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom. Parents were Victor Peter and Susan Somerville Dromgoole (née Houston) of Lyttelton.

Edwards, Norman John

Born in Dannevirke on 11 April 1914 and educated at Hastings High School.  Worked as an accounts clerk for the Public Trust Office in Napier. RNZAF/Civil Reserve Pilot and a member of several aero clubs. Flew 56 hours prior to joining RNZAF. Selected for RAF Short Service Commission. Trained at RNZAF Taieri as a pilot and commissioned on 23 October 1939. Attached to RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 23 March 1940. Later transferred to the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Killed in air operations on 4 June 1942. His brother, Denis Henry Edwards, died four days earlier while flying with No. 22 OTU (Operational Training Unit) RAF. Last rank was flight lieutenant, No. 101 Squadron RAF. Buried at Becklingen War Cemetery, Soltau, Niedersachsen, Germany. Parents were Henry Norman and Gertrude Ellen Edwards (née Beale) of Hastings.

Elliot, Thomas Isaac

Born in Inglewood on 25 May 1920 and educated as Stratford Technical High School and Victoria University College. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Wellington. Trained at RNZAF Rongotai in February 1942. Embarked for Canada on 12 February 1943 and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Later attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 25 August 1943. Killed on air operations on 21 November 1944. Last rank was flying officer, No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF. Listed on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom. Son of Herbert and Ina Elliot (née Gernhoefer) of Awakino.

Evans, Henry Robert

Served with the New Zealand Division in the Italian Campaign. Killed in action on 18 April 1945. Buried at the Forli War Cemetery. Son of Albert Charles and Isabel Nina Evans of New Plymouth.

Galbraith, Patrick Ralph

Born in Wairoa on 21 June 1921. Educated at Wairoa District High School, Napier Boys’ High School, Hastings High School and Victoria University College. Trained at RNZAF Blenheim in July 1940.  Embarked for Canada on 18 June 1941 and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Attached to the RAF on 14-15 April 1942. Killed in air operations on 7 April 1943 over the Atlantic Ocean. His date of death is recorded as 7 May 1943 in Errol W. Martyn, For your tomorrow. Listed on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom. Last rank was flying officer, No. 59 Squadron RAF. Son of Lionel Egbert and Dora Isabel Galbraith (née Gardiner) of Wairoa.

Galloway, Keith Alexander

Born in Taihape on 3 March 1920 and educated at Palmerston North Boys’ High School. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Auckland. Spent three months in the New Zealand Territorial Force. Trained at RNZAF Rongotai in April 1942. Embarked for Canada on 31 October 1942 and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Later attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 16 May 1943. Killed on air operations on 22 June 1944. Buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Last rank was flying officer, No. 619 Squadron RAF. Son of David and Josephine Margaret Galloway (née Cosgrove) of Palmerston North.

Gibb, Alick

Served with the New Zealand Division and was killed in action on 1 December 1943 in Italy. Buried in the Sangro River War Cemetery. Last rank was corporal with the 27th (Machine Gun) Battalion. Husband of Sally J. Gibb of Timaru.

Gilmer, John Martin

Born in Netherton on 18 January 1917 and educated at New Plymouth Boys’ High School. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Wellington. Selected for the RAF Short Service Commission. Embarked for the United Kingdom on c.19 November 1938 and attached to the RAF. Died of injuries suffered on air operations on 2 May 1940. Buried at Dishforth Cemetery, Yorkshire, England. Name is also recorded on the Pollington Airfield Memorial Garden, Yorkshire. Last rank was pilot officer, No. 51 Squadron RAF. Son of Hugh and Margaret Gilmer (née Rea) of Cambridge.

Harris, Herbert Adams

Born in Christchurch on 20 February 1918 and educated at Christchurch Boys’ High School. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in New Plymouth. Trained at RNZAF Levin in May 1941. Attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on c.18 December 1941. Killed in air operations on 10 November 1942. Listed at the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Last rank was pilot officer, No. 7 Squadron RAF. Son of James William and Evaline Matilda Harris (née Adams) of Christchurch. Husband of Irene Myrtle Harris (née Luscombe, later Hamilton) of Auckland.

Higginson, Brian Purdy

Born in Auckland on 1 August 1921. Educated at Mangere East Primary and Otahuhu Technical High School. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Auckland. Spent eight months in the New Zealand Territorial Force. Trained at RNZAF Levin and later at Rongotai in December 1941. Embarked for Canada and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force in April 1942. Later attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 28 October 1942. Killed in air operations on 27 September 1943. Buried at the Hannover War Cemetery, Niedersachsen, Germany. Last rank was flight sergeant, No. 199 Squadron RAF. Son of John Samuel and Elise Mary Higginson (née Purdy) of Auckland.

Hodgson, James Robert

Served with the New Zealand Army and died in New Zealand on 3 January 1943. Buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery in Dunedin. His brother William Henry Hodgson DFC served with the RAF and was killed in an aircraft accident in England on 13 March 1941. Parents were Harry Hodgson and Leonara Hodgson (née Parker) of Dunedin. Last rank was second lieutenant with the Otago Regiment, New Zealand Infantry.

Hogg, Wylie MacDonald

Born in Waihi on 20 September 1922 and educated at Waihi District High School. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Wellington. Spent six months in the New Zealand Territorial Force. Trained at RNZAF Ohakea in February 1941. Killed in an aircraft accident near Renwick, Marlborough on 22 October 1941. Buried at Waihi Cemetery. Last rank was leading aircraftman with the RNZAF 2 Service Flying Training School. Son of Bain and Flora Hogg of Waihi.

Hoy, William Joseph

Born in Westport on 3 September 1916 and educated at Marist Brothers School (Whanganui) and Wanganui Technical College. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Gisborne. Trained at RNZAF in June 1941. Attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 25 October 1941. Killed in air operations over the Mediterranean on 5 August 1943. Listed on the Malta Memorial in Malta. Last rank was flying officer, No. 52 Squadron RAF. Son of William and Mary Margaret Hoy (née Herrigan) of Whanganui.

Keeling, George Kitchener

Served with the New Zealand Division in the Western Desert Campaign. Killed in action on 26 November 1941. Buried at the Knightsbridge War Cemetery in Acroma, Libya. Name is also recorded on the Onehunga War Memorial Swimming Pool site in Auckland. Last rank was lance corporal with 21st Battalion. Son of George Henry and Aileen Isabel Keeling of Onehunga, Auckland.

Lee, William Pryor

Served with the New Zealand Division in the Western Desert Campaign. Died of wounds on 5 July 1942. Buried at the El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt. Last rank was sergeant with 14th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment. Son of Jack and Jessie Renfrew Lee (née Pryor) of Auckland. Husband of Joan Evelyn Lee of Putaruru.

Mannix, Francis Thomas Culling

Born in Timaru on 1 October 1917 and educated at St Joseph’s School in Hastings. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Napier. Trained at RNZAF Levin in June 1941. Embarked for Canada on 20 October 1941 and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Later attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 14 March 1942. Killed on air operations on 5 February 1944. Listed on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom. Last rank was flying officer, No. 502 Squadron RAF. Son of Timothy and Ethel Mary Mannix (née Culling) of Hastings.

Matthews, Francis Charles

Born in Palmerston North on 1 March 1924 and educated at Palmerston North Technical School. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Palmerston North. Trained at RNZAF Levin in September 1942. Embarked for Canada on 1 April 1943 and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Later attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 14 December 1943. Killed on air operations on 6 January 1945. Buried at Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery, Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands. Last rank was pilot officer, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF. Son of Charles and Harriet Frances Jane Matthews (née Gray) of Palmerston North.

Mehaffey, John Turnbull

Born in Wellington on 20 June 1916. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office, possibly in Wellington. Enlisted at Waipukurau and embarked on the Empress of Britain. Killed on active service in Crete on 20 May 1941. He died after flinging his helmet over a hand grenade and then jumping on it in an attempt to save the lives of two comrades. Both of his feet were blown off and he died soon afterwards. Mehaffey was recommended for a posthumous Victoria Cross: 'His behaviour and gallantry throughout the entire scrap until his final act of sacrifice was indeed of a high order'. Listed on the Athens Memorial, Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece. Last rank was lance-corporal with 22nd Battalion. Son of Harold James Campbell and Veronica Elizabeth Mehaffey (née Turnbull) of Tauranga.

Mellsop, Raymond Gilmour

Born in Pukekohe on 13 May 1911. Educated at King’s College (Auckland) and Auckland University College. He was an active member of the Auckland Gliding Club and helped establish a church gymnasium for local youths. Spent time in the New Zealand Territorial Force. Worked as an accounts clerk for the Public Trust Office in Auckland, Dannevirke, Palmerston North and Nelson. Trained at RNZAF Levin in June 1941. Embarked for Canada on 20 October 1941 and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Later attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 20 March 1942. After training in Canada, Mellsop joined a transport squadron dropping supplies to Allied units behind Japanese lines in Burma. He and his crew died on 11 April 1944 during an attempt to land at night on a jungle air strip. Listed on the Singapore Memorial, Kranji War Cemetery, and on the Auckland War Memorial WWII Hall of Memories. Last rank was flight lieutenant, No. 194 Squadron RAF. Son of Laurence Lionel and Margaret Edith Gilmour Mellsop (née Orr) of Hamilton.

Monaghan, David Wyatt

Served with the New Zealand Division in the Italian Campaign. Killed in action on 27 January 1944 and is buried at the Caserta War Cemetery. Last rank was signalman with Divisional Signals. Son of Harold Wyatt and Jessie Marion Monaghan (née Butler) of Palmerston North.

Oliver, Jack Moss

Born in Napier on 14 April 1921 and educated at Napier Boys’ High School. Worked for the Public Trust office in Wellington. Spent 10 months in the New Zealand Territorial Force. Trained at RNZAF Levin in December 1941. Embarked for Canada on 11 April 1942 and attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Later attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 16 May 1943. Killed on active air operations on 2 April 1944. Listed on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom. Last rank was warrant officer class 2, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF. Son of James Edward and Nellie Oliver (née Fear) of Blenheim.

Sandeman, George Graeme

Worked as a solicitor in Wellington before enlisting in the New Zealand Army. Served in the Pacific Campaign and killed in action on 27 October 1943. Buried at the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery in New Calendonia. Last rank was second lieutenant with 39th Field Regiment. Husband of Mrs L. S. Sandeman of Mt Eden, Auckland.

Shine,  John Stevenson

Before enlisting in the New Zealand Army lived in Epsom, Auckland and worked as a civil servant. Killed in action on 29 May 1941 and is listed on the Athens Memorial, Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece. Last rank was private with Headquarters, New Zealand Division. Son of Joseph Thomas and Katherine Annie Shine (née Stevenson) of Epsom, Auckland.

Sievers, John Winston (DFC)

Born in Feilding on 26 April 1918 and educated at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream. Worked as an accounts clerk for the Public Trust Office in Masterton. RNZAF Civil Reserve Pilot and involved with the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club. Flew over 47 hours prior to joining the RNZAF. Selected for RAF Short Service Commission in August 1939. Trained at RNZAF Taieri in October 1939. Embarked for the United Kingdom on 23 March 1940 and transferred to the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Killed on air operations on 27 June 1941. Buried at the Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Gelderland, The Netherlands. Name is also recorded on the Pollington Airfield Memorial Garden, Yorkshire, England. Last rank was pilot officer, No. 150 Squadron RAF. Son of Sidney John and Gertrude Teresa Sievers (nee Berrill) of Whanganui.

In July 1941, Sievers was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with the following citation: 'One night in June 1941, this officer was the captain of an aircraft which took part in an attack on Brest. In spite of intense antiaircraft fire both from ground defences and ships, Pilot Officer Sievers descended to 4,500 feet and skilfully dropped all his bombs in the target area. On a previous occasion, during an attack on Hamburg, this officer displayed great flying skill which enabled his rear gunner to shoot down a Messerschmitt II0 which attacked his aircraft whilst held in the beams of searchlights. Pilot Officer Sievers has completed many operational missions over enemy and enemy occupied country and has shown great skill and coolness throughout.'

Sutherland, Vernon Elton

Born in Wellington on 11 November 1912 and educated at Wellington College and Victoria University College. Worked as a law clerk for the Public Trust Office in Palmerston North and possibly Wellington. Trained at RNZAF Levin in July 1940. Attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 27 February 1941. Killed in an aircraft accident on 31 December 1942. Buried at Middleton Stoney (All Saints) Churchyard, Oxfordshire, England. Last rank was flight lieutenant, 16th Operational Training Unit RAF. Son of Charles Vernon and Muriel Elizabeth Sutherland (née Elton) of Seatoun, Wellington.

Torrens, Albert Alexander

Born in Lyttelton on 22 February 1917. Worked as a clerk prior to enlistment in Christchurch. Served with the New Zealand Division in the Western Desert Campaign. Killed in action at Minqar Qaim on 28 June 1942. Buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt. Last rank was lieutenant with 23rd Battalion. Son of Albert Edwards and Catherine Violet Torrens (née Hughes) of Lyttelton.

Watkinson, Stanley

The first candidate in a scheme which enabled New Zealanders to become career officers in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Killed in action aboard HMS Hood off the coast of Greenland on 24 May 1941. Listed on the New Zealand Naval Memorial, Devonport Naval Base, Auckland. Last rank was paymaster sub-lieutenant, attached to the Royal Navy. Son of Henry Watkinson of Hastings.

Webster, Harold Wilson

Born in Dunedin on 18 February 1922 and educated at Wanganui Technical College. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office in Whanganui. Spent four months in the New Zealand Territorial Force. Trained at RNZAF New Plymouth in July 1942. Attached to the RAF and embarked for the United Kingdom on 21 August 1943. Killed on active service on 18 August 1945. Buried at the Kirkee War Cemetery in India. Last rank was warrant officer class 2, No. 3 Refresher Flying Unit RAF. Son of Alexander and Ethel Vera Webster of Whanganui.

Biography source: Errol W. Martyn, For your tomorrow, vol.3 (2008); Colin Hanson, By Such Deeds: honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999 (2001); Auckland War Memorial Musuem Cenotaph