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NZ421712 Pilot Officer Robert Blakeman HEMMINGS M.I.D.
Parents Mr. & Mrs. L.W. Hemmings of Invercargill.

Robert Hemmings was born at Invercargill on the 12th November 1922 and received his secondary education at the Southland Boys' High School where he gained his Public Service Entrance Examination. He later continued his studies at night classes at the Southland Technical College. The sports in which he was actively interested included swimming, angling and golf. After leaving school he was employed by Messrs. A. Russell & Co Ltd. Motor Importers of Invercargill and was still in their employ when he made application for aircrew training on the 31st March, 1941.

Pilot Officer Hemmings was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua on the 8th March 1942 and on successfully completing his initial training he posted to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, Taieri on the 2nd May. He proceeded on the 5th August to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, Blenheim, where, he was awarded the flying badge on the 19th October, 1942. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 19th December; to Flight Sergeant on the 19th June 1943 and to Warrant Officer on the 19th June 1944. On the 11th July 1944 he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer. He embarked on the 16th January, 1943 for the United Kingdom.

Pilot Officer Hemmings arrived at No. 11 Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton on the 29th March 1943 and on the 9th of June was posted to No. 17 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit, Watton, Norfolk for a refresher course on Miles Master aircraft. He was posted to No. 59 Operational Training Unit, Milfield, Northumberland on the 17th August where he completed his training on Hurricane aircraft. On the 10th of December, he was posted to No. 247 Squadron which operated from various bases in Southern England, as part of the Tactical Air Force for the invasion of Europe. He flew Typhoon Rocket projectile aircraft both before and after the invasion from bases first in Southern England and later in France in operational flights, the targets including "V" weapon projector sites in the Pas de Calais and Cherbourg areas, bridges, railway lines yards and junctions, radar stations, enemy gun positions, Motor Transport and troops,