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39964 Sergeant Arthur Fraser DALLAS
PARENTS Mr and Mrs W.A. Dallas of Hunterville

Arthur Dallas was born on the 23rd March, 1918, at Wanganui and received his secondary education at Palmerston North Boys' High School, where he gained his Senior Free Place. He later attended evening classes at Palmerston North Technical College. The sports in which he was actively intrested included tennis, football, cricket, and swimming. From October, 1935 until October, 1938 he served with the 7th Field Battery, N.Z.F.A. He was employed as a shop assistant by The C. M. Ross Co., Ltd., Palmerston North, during 1935-36, and at the time of his making application for aircrew tarin-ing - on the 15th September, 1939 - he was emplyed as a warehouseman by Ross and Glendining Ltd., Wellington.

Sergeant Dallas was enlisted, on the 26th October, 1939, at Levin and, on the satisfactory completion of his inital training he proceeded on the 20th November to No. 1 Air Observers' School, Chakes, where, on the 13th March, 1940, he was awarded the air observers' badge and promoted, on the 23rd March to the rank of Sergeant. He embarked on the 23rd March, 1940 on board the "Akaros" for the United Kingdom.

Shortly after arrival in the United Kingdom, Sergeant Dallas was posted - on the 15th June, 1940 - to No. 17 Operational Training Unit, Upwood, Huntingdonshire, where he trained as an air observer on Blenheim aircraft. On the 12th August, 1940 he was posted to No. 114 Squadron, Oulton, Norfolk and on the 5th September, 1940 to No. 105 Squadron, Watton, Norfolk. With these Squadrons he carried out, as air observer on Blenheim aircraft, fifteen operational flights. These included a reconnaissance flight from Calais, France to Ostend, Belgium, and a raid to Dunkirk.

Sergeant Dallas was the air observer of a Blenheim aircraft which crashed near the village of Fakenham, Norfolk, shortly after take off on air operations on the 28th October, 1940, Sergeant Dallas losing his life. He was buried in St. Mary's Churchyard, Graet Bircham, Norfolk.

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