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N.Z. 414893 Pilot Officer Thomas Andrew ROBSON D.F.C. (surname underlined)
Parents Mr. & Mrs. F.H. Robson of Canterbury.

Thomas Robson was born at Christchurch on the 12th March 1914, and received his secondary education at the Christchurch Boys' High School, gaining the Senior Free Place in 1930. He played football and tennis. On leaving school he studied commerical art the School of Art, Christchurch and was employed as a window-dresser by the National Display Service, and on the 1st July 1940 when he applied for enlistment in aircrew, was employed in the same capacity by the National Tobacco Company, Napier.

Pilot Officer Robson was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 31st August 1941 and on the completion of his ground training course embarked for Canada on the 20th October to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

On arrival on the 8th November, Pilot Officer Robson proceeded to No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta, then on the 25th April 1942 to No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan. While at this Unit he was awarded the Air Gunner Badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant on the 25th May prior to being posted on the 6th June to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia for embarkation to the United Kingdom. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 15th May 1943 and appointed to the rank of Pilot Officer on the 19th July 1943.

Pilot Officer Robson arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 25th June, remaining attached there until his posting on the 22nd July to No. 7 Air Gunnery School, Stormy Down, Glamorganshire. On completion of this course he proceeded on the 18th August to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott, Buckinghamshire, for crewing up and training on Wellington bomber aircraft. He then converted to Halifax aircraft at No. 1652 Conversion Unit, Marston Moor, Yorkshire on the 31st December prior to joining No. 78 Squadron, Linton-On-Ouse, Yorkshire, for operational flying on the 19th February 1943. From this base as Air Gunner of Halifax aircraft he took part in eleven operational flights, the targets including Hamburg, Nuremburg, Munich, Duisberg, Berlin, Essen (2) and Kiel in Germany and St. Nazaire in France. On the 20th April he was posted to Wyton, Huntingdonshire and continued operational flying from this base as a member of