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12848 Vol. 4
EA-GW.

JC/NF

413828 : Flying Officer Vivian Roberts EADY.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. E.A. Eady of Auckland.

Vivian Eady was born at Auckland on the 24th October, 1920,
and was educated at the Auckland Grammar School and the Auckland
University College. At school he played rugby and was interested
in swimming. He gained his University Entrance and Higher Leaving
Certificate and studied for his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the
University.

He applied for aircrew training in July 1940 whilst a member
of the territorials at Ngaruawahia, holding the rank of Lance
Bombardier. He entered camp at the Initial Training Wing, Levin,
in July 1941 and commenced flying training at No. 3 Elementary Flying
Training School, Harewood in August. He made his first solo flight
on August 26, and in September proceeded to No. 2 Service Flying
Training School, Woodbourne for further training on Oxford aircraft.
He was awarded his Flying Badge on November 8th and granted a
commission in the rank of Pilot Officer on December 20th, 1941.
In February he was posted to No. 3 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron,
Harewood, and was engaged on routine flying duties until in March
when he proceeded to the School of General Reconnaissance, Omaka.
He was then posted to No. 8 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron,
Whenuapai and for the next 7 months was engaged on flying duties with
the Squadron at Whenuapai and Gisborne. In November he was posted
to No. 1 (Bomber) Operational Training School, at New Plymouth and
commenced flying Hudson aircraft. On completion of the course he
proceeded to No. 1 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron, Whenuapai on
January 1st, 1943 and was promoted to Flying Officer on the 31st
January.

In February he proceeded overseas to No. 4 (General
Reconnaissance) Squadron at Nausori, Fiji. For the next two months
he was engaged on patrol work, until in May he proceeded to No. 3
Squadron at Espiritu Santo, and there to No. 9 Squadron the following
day. He was engaged on combat training until 12th May when he went
back to No. 3 Squadron and proceeded to Guadalcanal with the Squadron.