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415030 Flight Sergeant Raymond Farquhar SIMPSON
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Simpson of CHRISTCHURCH.

Raymond SIMPSON was born at Christchurch on the 16th December, 1919, and received his secondary education at the Christchurch Technical College, where he gained his Senior Free Place. He played the usual sports at school and was interested in cycling. At the time of his making application for aircrew training on the 22nd October, 1940, he was employed as an electrician by T.L. Jones, CHRISTCHURCH.

Flight Sergeant SIMPSON was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 7th September 1941 on completion of his initial training he was posted on the 19th October to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood, where his flying training was terminated and he was posted to Rongotai on the 19th November, and remustered to a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and reposted on the 30th of the same month to the Initial Training Wing, Levin. On the completion of his initial training as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner he embarked on the 22nd June, 1942, for Canada. Shortly after arrival in Canada Flight Sergeant Simpson was posted on the 16th July, 1942 to No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta, and proceeded on the 6th February 1943, to No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mossbank, Saskatchewan, where on the 8th March he was awarded the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant, on the 8th September, 1943. Meanwhile he was posted on the 19th March 1943, to No. 31 Operational Training Unit, Debert, Nova Scotia, where he trained on Hudson aircraft. He embarked on the 23rd June 1943 from No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia for the United Kingdom. Flight Sergeant Simpson arrived at No. 12 (R.N.Z.A.F.) Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton on the 2nd July, 1943 and was posted early in August, to No. 11 Radio School, Hooton Park, Cheshire, thence on the 21st September to No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, Silloth, Cumberland.