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NZ40388 F/O Jack HELME.
Mother: Mrs. A. Helme of Christchurch.

Jack Helme was born at Leeds in Yorkshire on December 1st 1916. He was educated at West Christchurch High School. Prior to his mobilisation he was employed as a Commercial Artist by Hays Ltd., of Christchurch.

He entered Levin camp on January 26th, 1940, and was posted to Blenheim shortly afterwards for general duties with the ground staff. He was keen to fly, however, and was remustered to Air Crew in January 1942 when his flying training began at Harewood. After sixty hours flying time he went to Canada on March 8th 1942 an was posted to No. 7 Service Flying Training School at MacLeod, Alberta. Here he became a certified service pilot of Anson aircraft in May 1942 and was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on July 31st. In September he went for a special course at No. 2 Flying Instructors School at Vulcan, Alberta, where he was employed as a Pilot Instructor on Cornell, Cessna Crane and Tiger Moth aircraft, and became known as a very capable teacher. On October 26th he commenced duty at No. 39 S.F.T.S. at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, where he had experience as a pilot of Oxfords, and was promoted to Flying Officer in January, 1943.

On March 31st, 1943 F/O Helme was killed in an aircraft accident while acting as a Pilot Instructor in an Oxford aircraft. He is buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Swift Current.

4/2/2838 A.S.2.
500 Flying Hours
321 of which as 1st Pilot.

Mrs. A. Helme (Mother)
307 Maras Street,
CHRISTCHURCH. (underlined)