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39579 : Flight Lieutenant Maldon Ulisse ROBINSON (surname underlined)
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. U.A.W. ROBINSON of PALMERSTON NORTH (town & surname underlined)

Maldon Robinson was born at Wellington on the 26th January 1918 and received his secondary education at the Palmerston North Boys' High School, taking the agricultural course. Leaving school, he obtained practical experience on various farms in the vicinity of Palmerston North before entering his father's business in that town as a jeweller's assistant. In May 1939 he applied for enlistment in the R.N.Z.A.F.

Flight Lieutenant Robinson was enlisted on the 20th September 1939 at R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Ohakea, where and at Blenheim and Whenuapai, he was employed on ground duties while awaiting training for aircrew. On the 7th September 1941 he was remustered to pilot under training and posted to the Initial Training Wing; Levin. From here on the 19th October he was posted to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood to commence his flying training. This elementary training completed on the 17th December 1941 he embarked for Canada to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after his arrival in Canada, Flight Lieutenant Robinson was posted on the 5th January 1942 to No. 3 Service Flying Training School, Calgary, Alberta. Here on the 24th April 1942 he was awarded his Flying Badge and received his promotion to sergeant but this latter was superseded by his being commissioned as a pilot officer with effect from the same date. Six months later on the 24th October 1942 he was promoted to flying officer and on the 17th February 1944 he was gazetted as a flight lieutenant. Meanwhile after completing his course at the Service Flying Training School he had been posted on the 22nd May 1942 to No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba for duty as a staff pilot. He remained here until the 27th March 1943 when he proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia to await embarkation for the United Kingdom.

It was the 29th April 1943 when Flight Lieutenant Robinson arrived in England and reported to No. 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, Bournemouth and he remained here on attachment.