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4214583 Leading Aircraftman Leo Archibald KITCHING.
Widow: Mrs. S.M. Kitching of WELLINGTON.

Leo Kitching was born in Nelson on May 22nd 1915 and received his secondary education at Nelson College. At the time of applying for enlistment in the Royal New Zealand Air Force on May 2nd 1942 he was serving in the Territorial Army in which he had served for 6 years. His civilian occupation was that of bus driver, for the Wellington Tramway Corporation.

Leading Aircraftman Kitching was enlisted at Harewood on November 10th 1942 as Fire Crew under training. He was posted to Ohakea on December 11th where after a Trade Test he was reclassified Leading Aircraftman and proceeded to Wigram on February 17th 1943.

Leading Aircraftman Kitching was accidentally killed on January 17th 1944 as the result of being thrown from a fire tender which had been called out to a grass fire on the Aerodrome. He was buried in the Karori Cemetery, Wellington.

Auckland Museum link with a photo of Leading Aircraftman Kitching: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C28228

5/4/24976 A.S.2.

Mrs. S.M. Kitching (W), (right aligned)
20 Darlington Road, (right aligned)
Miramar, (right aligned)
WELLINGTON. (right aligned & underlined)