214

413522. Sergeant Ventry WATTERS.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. F. WATTERS of Whangarei.

Ventry Watters was born at Warkworth on the 2nd June 1920. He received his secondary education at the Dargaville District High School reaching Matriculation standard. At school he played football for the 1st XV and cricket for the 1st XI; afterwards football for the Old Boys Club and cricket for the Post Office -Bank Team. From the time of leaving school in 1937 until applying for enlistment in aircrew, on the 28th May 1940 he was employed in a clerical capacity by the Bank of New Zealand Limited, at Dargaville.

Sergeant Watters was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 15th June 1941 and posted to Whenuapai on the 28th July to commence his flying training, afterwards embarking on the 20th October for Canada to train under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada he proceeded on the 4th November to No. 4 Service Flying Training School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where on the 27th February 1942 he was awarded the flying badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. On the 12th March he was posted to No. 1"Y'" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Sergeant Watters arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 28th March and remained there until proceeding on the 20th May to No. 3 (P) Advanced Flying Unit, South Cerney, Gloucestershire for his advanced and night flying. Early in August he commenced operational training at No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire. Here he crewed up and completed his training on Wellington bomber aircraft before posting on the 20th September to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron at Feltwell, Norfolk. From this base as Captain of Wellington aircraft, he took part in four operational flights over enemy territory.

Sergeant Watters was the pilot of a Wellington bomber engaged during the night of the 13/14th October 1942 in a raid against Hamburg. The aircraft failed to return to its base and all the crew includingd Sergeant Watters were classified missing. Later information was received from an officail German course through the International Red Cross that he had lost his life and in consequence