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421831 Leading Aircraftman John Oughton MITCHELL.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Mitchell of MATAURA.

John Mitchell was born at Tuturau, Southland, on the 11th November, 1922, and received his secondary education at the Wyndham District High School and the Gore High School. From the time of leaving school until applying for enlistment in aircrew on the 19th May 1941, he was employed by his father in farming at Tuturau.

Leading Aircraftman Mitchell was enlisted at Wigram on the 3rd March 1942 and employed there on ground duties, until remustered to aircrew and posted to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua, on the 28th July. He proceeded to Taieri on the 5th September for his elementary flying training.

Leading Aircraftman Mitchell was the pilot of a Tiger Moth aircraft which collided in mid-air with another aircraft over Outram on the 7th November 1942, Leading Aircraftman Mitchell losing his life. He was buried in the Cemetery at Wyndham, Southland.

5/2/11133 A.S.2.
No Log Book.

Mrs. E. Mitchell (M), (right aligned)
Tuturau R.D., (right aligned)
Mataura, (right aligned)
SOUTHLAND. (right aligned & underlined)