370

RV/NF

422057 : Pilot Officer Neil Douglas DAVIDSON.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Davidson of Porangahau, Hawkes Bay.

Neil Davidson was born on the 7th May, 1923, at
Waipukarau. He received his secondary education at Hastings
High School, where he gained his Senior Free Place. The sports
in which he was actively interested were football, cricket, tennis,
and swimming. Prior to his enlistment with the R.N.Z.A.F. he was
employed as a clerk by the Hawkes Bay Farmers' Co-op. Assn. Ltd.,
Waipukarau.

Pilot Officer Davidson applied for aircrew training on
the 13th January, 1941, and was enlisted on the 18th March, 1942,
at Rongotai, where he was employed on ground duties. Late in
the same month he proceeded to Ohakea, where he was employed in a
similar capacity. On the 27th July, 1942, he was posted to the
Initial Training Wing, Rotorua, and remustered to airman pilot.
On the 4th September, 1942, he proceeded to No. 2 Elementary
Flying Training School, New Plymouth, and the following month he
moved with this school to Ashburton. He embarked for Canada on the
24th December, 1942.

Shortly after his arrival in Canada P/O Davidson was
posted to No. 7 Service Flying Training School, MacLeod, Alberta,
where - on the 11th June, 1943, - he was awarded his flying badge
and promoted to Sergeant. He was promoted to Flight Sergeant
six months later and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer
on the 19th July, 1944. He proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, on the 21st June for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

P/O Davidson arrived at No. 12 Personnel Reception
Centre, Brighton, on the 7th July, 1943, and on the 10th of the
following month was posted to No. 20 Advanced Flying Unit. With