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R.A.F. 36147 Squadron Leader Joseph Cunningham SIMPSON.
Widow (redacted)
Mother : Mrs. P.E. Simpson of PETONE.

Joseph Simpson was born in Dunedin, Otago, on February 2nd 1917 and received his secondary education at St. Andrews College, Christchurch up to Matriculation standard. He later attended Canterbury University for six months. He played football and cricket and was also interested in swimming and boxing. His hobby was photography. He obtained his "A" Flying Licence at Wigram in 1937. At the time of making application for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force in March, 1937 he was employed as a clerk by C.L. Rhodes Motors Limited in Christchurch. He obtained his preliminary training in New Zealand with the Canterbury Aero Club and was granted a temporary rank of Pilot Officer on November 15th 1937. He embarked for England by the "Akaroa" on July 18th 1938 for service in the Royal Air Force.

On arriving in the United Kingdom on August 23rd he proceeded to Uxbridge the same day. After a short period at No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge, he was posted early the following month to No. 98 (Bomber) Squadron until in April, 1939, he was attached to the School of Air Navigation on a course. He returned for a short perioed to No. 98 Squadron until his transfer to No. 207 Squadron (location redacted), on September 14th 1939. Here he was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer on February 23rd 1940. He was further promoted to Flight Lieutenant on February 23rd, 1941 and to Squadron Leader on March 1st 1942.

Meantime on April 19th 1940, he had been posted to No. 12 Operational Training Unit, Chipping Warden for flying and signals duties. On March 17th, 1941 he proceeded to No. 23 Operational Training Unit, Pershore, thence to No. 13 Operational Training Unit, Bicester, for operational training. Early in April, 1942 he was appointed flying instructor at this Unit. He was finally posted on flying duties to No. 105 (Bomber) Squadron, Horsham St. Faith, Sussex, early in October, 1942.

Squadron Leader Simpson was a member of the crew of a bomber aircraft posted missing on operations over Germany on October 23rd 1942. He was buried in the Dutch Protestant Cemetery, Roard, Holland.

5/2/1182 A.S.2.
No LogBook.

Mrs. P.E. Simpson (M) (right aligned)
125 Jackson Street, (right aligned)
PETONE. (right aligned & underlined)