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39668	:	Pilot Officer Ian Hamilton ALEXANDER.
PARENTS	:	Mr. & Mrs. W. Alexander, Christchurch.

Ian Alexander was born at New Brighton, Christchurch on
February 1, 1921. He attended the Aranui School, Christchurch
during 1933 and 1934, after which he spent several years with the
Canterbury College School of Art in Christchurch. After joining
the Air Force he studied for a time at Gilby's Commercial College
in Christchurch preparatory to entering aircrew. He was interested
in swimming, biking and motorcycling and was a member of the Corsair
Club and the Canterbury Autocycle Club in Christchurch. He was
employed as a furrier by W. Pattison, Christchurch.

Pilot Officer Alexander applied for enlistment in the
RNZAF a few days after the outbreak of war and was enlisted on
October 2, 1939 at Wigram, where he was employed on ground duties.
In August 1940, he applied for training as a pilot and in April,
1941, was posted to the Initial Training Wing, Levin, to commence
training. From Levin he proceeded to No. 1 Elementary Flying
Training School, Taieri, where he made his first solo flight on
July 16, 1941. He was posted to No. 1 Flying Training School,
Wigram two months later for training on Harvard aircraft. At his
own request his flying training was terminated for a time early in
October and he proceeded on leave, recommencing training at No. 2
Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth, in January 1942.
In February he was posted to No. 2 Flying Training School, Woodbourne,
where he continued training on Oxford aircraft. In March he was
posted to No. 1 Flying Training School, Wigram, where he was awarded
the Flying Badge on April 4. He was promoted to Sergeant on June
13, 1942 and a week later embarked for the United Kingdom.