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41903: FLYING OFFICER JOHN HAWARTH HEATH.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. G.H. HEATH of NAPIER.

John Heath was born at Cleethorpes, England, on the 21st February, 1919 and at an early age accompanied his parents to New Zealand where they came to this country to make their home (redacted here). He received his secondary education at Wanganui Technical College and at Napier Boys' High School where he passed the Matriculation Examination and was awarded the Higher Leaving Certificate. He afterwards continued his studies by attending classes in commercial subjects and passed his Accountant's Professional Examination. The sports in which he took part were football, tennis and swimming. His civilian occupation was that of an accountant in the Customs Department at Napier and he was so employed when in April, 1940 he applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Flying Officer Heath was enlisted for aircrew training on the 8th February, 1941 and at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, and was posted on the 22nd March, 1941 to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth, where he commenced his flying training. He proceeded on the 3rd May, 1941 to No. 3 Flying Training School, Ohakea, where on the 14th June, 1941 he was awarded his flying badge. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 26th July, 1941 and to Flight Sergeant on the 1st June, 1942. On the 12th October, 1942 he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer and was promoted to Flying Officer on the 12th April, 1943. Meanwhile, on the 14th August 1941 he had embarked for the United Kingdom.

Flying Officer Heath arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 29th September 1941 and was posted on the 28th October, 1941 to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire where he crewed up and completed his training on Wellington bomber aircraft. Early in May 1942 he proceeded to No. 15 Operational Training Unit, Harwell, Berkshire. On the 10th May as pilot of a Wellington bomber he left England on posting to the Middle East. The journey