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NZ413988 Sergeant Donald Stuart OLDRIDGE. (surname underlined)
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. S.R. Oldridge of Darfield.

Donald Oldridge was born at New Brighton on the 13th October 1921. He received his secondary education at the Christchurch Boys High School, reaching Matriculation standard. At school he played football and tennis, also taking part in boxing, swimming, and athletics. At the time of applying for enlistment in aircrew, on the 15th August 1940, he was employed by his father as a painter and paperhanger.

Sergeant Oldridge was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 6th July 1941, and proceeded to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, Taieri, on the 16th August to commence his flying training, then on the 27th September to No. 1 Service Flying Training School, Wigram. Here on the 20th December he was awarded the flying badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant, afterwards embarking on the 11th January 1942 for the United Kingdom.

He arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 9th March and remained there until posted to No. 12 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Grantham, Lincolnshire on the 4th May for his advanced training. Early in July he completed a Beam Approach Training Course at No. 1514 Beam Approach Training Flight, Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and on the 21st July, proceeded to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire, where he crewed up and completed his training as Pilot of Wellington bomber aircraft. From this base he took part in an operational flight to Essex, before posting on the 2nd October to No. 115 Squadron at Mildenhall, Suffolk. With this Squadron he took part in a further three operational flights.

Sergeant Oldridge was the Pilot of a Wellington aircraft engaged during the night of the 24/25th October 1942, in an attack on a target in enemy territory. The aircraft failed to return to its base and all the crew, including Sergeant Oldridge were