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416005 : Flight Sergeant David Robinson Neill KEITH.
Parents : Mr. and Mrs. D.N. KEITH of WELLINGTON.

David Keith was born at Manchester, England on the 4th May 1916, and came to New Zealand at the age of 12 years. He received his secondary education at the Rongotai Boys' College and furthered his studies by taking night classes at the Wellington Technical College. The sports in which he was actively interested included tennis and badminton. On leaving school he was employed in radio assembly and later in a clerical position with Messrs. Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Coy. (Wellington) Ltd., Wellington and was so employed when on the 8th June 1940 he made application for enlistment in the ground staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and again applied for service on the 8th July of the same year, this time for aircrew training.

Flight Sergeant Keith was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 2nd November 1941 and on the satisfactory completion of the Initial Course he embarked on the 28th December, 1941 for Canada to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada Flight Sergeant Keith was on the 1st February 1942 posted to No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta and here his Wireless Operator Air Gunner training was terminated and he was posted on the 29th October to the Composite Training School, Trenton, Ontairo where he was remustered to Air Bomber and posted to No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta. He remained at this school until posting on the 21st February 1943 to No. 2 Air Observer School, Edmonton, Alberta where on the 30th April 1943 he was awarded the Air Bomber's Badge and promoted ot Sergeant. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 30th October 1943. Meanwhile on the 15th May 1943 he was posted to No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School, Jarvis, Ontario and thence on the 20th of the following month to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia to await embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Flight Sergeant Keith arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton on the 22nd July, 1943 and proceeded on the 14th August to No. 5 Air Observer's School, Jurby, Isle of Man.