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NZ415531 W/O William Henry HEATH.

Parents: Mr. & Mrs. R.M. Heath of Waimate.
Wife: Mrs. P.D. Heath of New Plymouth (Married on 18.1.45)

William Heath was born at Waimate on 22nd October 1918 and was educated at Waimate High School, gaining his Senior Free Place. At school his favourite sports were football, cricket and tennis, and after leaving school, he played for the Zingar Football Club. He was employed in various farming jobs and then as a senior porter for the N.Z. Railways, prior to entering the Air Force. He applied for training in the Air Force (Air Crew), in August 1940, and was accepted and departed for Canada on November 17th 1941. He went to No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta on arrival commenced his training as a Wireless Operator A few months later he went to No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School at Dafoe for further training as W/Opr, Air Gunner, where he gained his Badge on July 20th, 1942.

In August he went to No. 7 Air Observers School at Portage-La-Prairie, Manitoba and carried out general training exercises until he returned to New Zealand in April, 1943.

In July 1943 he was posted to No. 6 Flying Boat Squadron as a W/Opr. Air Gunner and carried out general flying duties until he went overseas with that Squadron in October 1943, and was stationed at Santos. For the next two months he carried out Anti-Submarine patrols and Air Sea Rescue until the Squadron moved to Halvo in December, 1943. He carried out further Anti-Submarine patrols and general Air Sea Rescue work until he returned to New Zealand in March, 1944. After a period of leave (redacted in New Zealand) he went to the School of General Reconnaissance at New Plymouth for duties on Anson aircraft. He carried out general training until he went overseas again in October to Nausori. There he carried out further duties in Night Navigation and Air Gunnery until he returned to New Zealand in December 1944.

In January he went back overseas with No. 5 F.B. Squadron to Santos and the next few months carried out general patrols between Santos and Funa-Futi.