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N.Z.412238 Leading Aircraftman Ross Francis KITTO.
Father: Mr. A. Kitto of WANGANUI.

Ross Kitto was born in Martinborough, Wellington on April 10th, 1918, and received his secondary education at the Friends' School, Wanganui. He spent 15 months in the Territorials in 1938-1939 and left with the grade of Corporal. At the time of making an application to enlist in the Royal New Zealand Air Force on June 3rd 1940 Leading Aircraftman Kitto was employed on his father's farm at Wanganui.

Leading Aircraftman Kitto was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on April 12th, 1941 as Airman-Pilot under training. In July he was posted to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth. He embarked for Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme on September 22nd 1941.

On arrving in Canada he was posted to No. 12 Service Flying Training School, Brandon, Manitoba, on October 11th 1941, being awarded the Flying Badge on January 16th 1942.

On the afternoon of January 19th 1942 Leading Aircraftman Kitto was killed instantly as the result of his aircrat crashing to earth about 3 miles north and one and half miles east of Knox Station, Manitoba. The accident was caused by collision with another aircraft in mid-air, the pilots of both machines losing their lives.

Leading Aircraftman Kitto was buried in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery in the Royal Canadian Air Force plot.

Auckland Museum link with a photo of Leading Aircraftman Kitto: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C28233

5/2/4872 A.S.2.
No Logbook.

Mr. A. Kitto (F), (right aligned)
Brunswick R.D., (right aligned)
WANGANUI (right aligned & underlined)