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ED/NF (right aligned)
403015 : Pilot Officer Richard JOHN MINNIS.
PARENTS : Mr & Mrs. J.R. Minnis of Wellington.

WIFE : Mrs. P.M. Warr. (re-married)

Richard Minnis was born at Wellington on the 10th September, 1913, and received his secondary education at Wellington Technical College, where he passed the Public Service Entrance examination, later furthering her studies by night classes at the same institution. His interests in sport included wrestling, weight lifting, swimming and football. On leaving school he was employed for a few months by a car importing company at Wellington, but was forced to leave due to the company closing down. However, on the 6th December, 1939 he obtained a clerical position in the Patent Office, Wellington, and was still employed there at the time of making application - on the 31st January, 1940, for service with the R.N.Z.A.F.

Pilot Officer Minnis was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 1st September, 1940, and mustered as an air gunner. On the satisfactory completion of the course he embarked on boart the "Aorangi" for Canada on the 8th October, to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, P/O Minnis was posted to No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec, and from there, on the 15th March, 1941 and proceeded to No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School, Jarvis, Ontario. At the latter school, on the 12th April, he was awarded the wireless operator air gunner's badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. This, however, was superseded by his commissioning as a Pilot Officer. On the 17th of the same month P/O Minnis was the first graduate under the Empire Air Training Scheme. He embarked for the United Kingdom on the 25th April.