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415413 Leading Aircraftman Brian Cecil HEAPS.
PARENTS: MR. & MRS. A.M. HEAPS OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Brian Heaps was born in Christchurch on November 20th, 1920 completing his secondary education at the Christchurch Boys' High School up to Matriculation standard. His sports interests included football, cricket, tennis and boxing and he was a member of the Windermere Tennis Club. At the time of applying for enlistment in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Leading Aircraftman Heaps was a Lance Corporal in the Anti-Aircraft Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment. Prior to entering the Army he was employed as a law clerk by Messrs. Dougall Son and Hutchison, Solicitors, Christchurch.

Leading Aircraftman Heaps was enlisted in the Ground Training School, Levin on September 30th, 1941 as airman pilot under training. Early in November he proceeded to No. 1 Elementary Flying School, Taieri transferring on December 20th to No. 1 Service Flying Training School, Wigram where he obtained his Flying Badge in February 1942. The following month he was posted to No. 2 Flying Training School, Blenheim.

On March 22, 1942 Leading Aircraftman Heaps was the pilot of a Harvard aircraft engaged in training operations in the vicinity of Lake Grassmere which was reported missing. It ws subsequently discovered that the aircraft had crashed at the headwaters of the Dee River, a tributary of the Ure River in Marlborough, the pilot losing his life in the accident. Owing to the dense bush and difficulty of transport Leading Aircraftman Heaps was buried at the location of the accident.

Find a Grave link with a photo of Leading Aircraftman Heaps: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47211957/brian_cecil-heaps

5/2/891 AS2
No Log book.

Mr. A.M. Heaps (F) (right aligned)
189 Papanui Road, (right aligned)
CHRISTCHURCH. (right aligned & underlined)