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DA/NF (right aligned)
415328: Flight Lieutenant George Mervyn KENNEDY.
MOTHER: Mrs. M.V. Kennedy of Auckland.

George Kennedy was born on the 6th July, 1920, at Auckland and received his secondary education at Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland, where he gained his School Certificate. The sports in which he was actively interested included tennis and football. At the time of his making application for aircrew training - on the 24th January, 1941 - he was employed as a clerk by John W. Andrew & Sons Ltd., Auckland. He had also served for 6 months in the Territorials.

F/Lt. Kennedy was enlisted at Levin on the 28th September, 1941, and on satisfactorily completing his initial training, was posted to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenupai. He embarked for Canada on the 28th December, 1941.

Shortly after arrival in Canada F/Lt. Kennedy was posted to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Ottawa, Ontario, where - on the 8th May, 1942 - he was awarded his flying badge and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer. He was promoted to Flying Officer on the 8th November 1942, and on the 8th May, 1944, to Flight Lieutenant. On the 25th May, 1942 he was posted to No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan, where he was employed for approximately 11 months as a staff pilot. On the 15th May, 1943, he proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Shortly after arrival in England F/Lt. Kennedy was posted - on the 15th June, 1943 - to No. 6 Advanced Flying Unit, Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, where he trained as pilot on Oxford aircraft. On the 5th October he proceeded to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Oakley, Buckinghamshire, and here carried out air exercises on Wellington bomber aircraft. At the