355

HD/NF
422693 : Warrent Officer Edward Lindsay DARRELL.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. L. Darrell of Wellington.

Edward Darrell was born on the 5th March, 1922, in
Melbourne, Australia. He came to New Zealand at an early age
and received his education at the South Wellington Public School.
The sports in which he was actively interested included rugby,
cricket, tennis and golf. From March, 1936 to March, 1937, he was
employed as a cabinet maker by Mr. Smith of Willis Street, Wellington.
He then joined the firm of Woolworths (NZ) Ltd., Wellington, as a
storeman, later becoming a clerk in this company's head office.

W/O Darrell made application for aircrew training on
the 17th March, 1941, and was enlisted at Rotorua on the 18th April,
1942. On the satisfactory completion of his initial training he
embarked, on the 29th May, for Canada.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, W/O Darrell proceeded
- on the 20th June, 1942 - to No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta,
and thence - on the 5th February, 1943 - to No. 2 Bombing and
Gunnery School, Mossbank, Saskatchewan, where, on the 8th of the
following month he was awarded the air gunner's badge, and promoted
to the rank of Sergeant. On the 8th September, 1943, he was
promoted to Flight Sergeant and one year later to Warrent Officer.
In continuation of his training he was posted - on the 21st March,
1943 - from Mossbank to No. 31 Operational Training Unit, Debert,
Nova Scotia. On the 15th June of the same year he proceeded to
No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, also in Nova Scotia, for embarkation to
the United Kingdom.

W/O Darrell arrived at No. 12 Personnel Reception
Centre, Brighton on the 1st July, 1943, and proceeded - on the 6th
October, to No. 2 Personnel Despatch Centre, West Kirby, Cheshire.
Eight days later he was posted to Waterloo, British West Africa.