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412301 Pilot Officer Donald Bruce WOODHEAD (surname underlined)
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Woodhead of Auckland.
Wife: Mrs. B. Woodhead of Auckland.

Born at Auckland on the 2nd July 1914, Donald Woodhead received his secondary education at the Auckland Grammar School passing the matriculation examination in 1932. He subsequently proceeded to Auckland University College where he gained the Teachers "C" Certificate. The sports in which he took part were football, tennis, swimming, barrier running, tramping and climbing and he was a member of the Alpine Sports Club. His civilian occupation was that of a teacher in the employ of the Auckland Education Board. In March 1940 he applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Pilot Officer Woodhead was enlisted for aircrew training on the 13th April 1941 at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, and posted on the 26th May to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenuapai, to commence his flying training. He proceeded on the 8th July to No .3 Service Flying Training School, Ohakea, and while here on the 16th August was awarded his flying badge. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 27th September 1941 and later, while overseas on the 1st August 1942 to Flight Sergeant, further promoted to Warrant Officer on the 1st August 1943 and on the 29th July 1944 commissioned as a Pilot Officer. Meanwhile, on the 25th October 1941 he had embarked for the United Kingdom. Having arrived in England on the 29th November 1941 Pilot Officer Woodhead was held at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, until posted on the 12th January 1942 for a refresher course with No. 3 Service Flying Training School, South Cerney, Gloucestershire. This was followed on the 9th February by an instrument flying course with No. 1516 Beam Approach Training Flight, Middleton St. George, County Durham, prior to being posted on the 24th February to No. 21 Operational Training Flight, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, to crew-up and completed his training on Wellington bomber aircraft. He proceeded on the 21st June 1942 to Ferry Flight, Harwell, Berkshire, for training in long distance flight and on the 12th July 1942 as pilot of a Wellington bomber he left England on posting to No. 40 Squadron, operating in the Middle East.

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