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Wing Commander Nelson Reuben MANSFIELD D.F.C. (surname underlined)
Mr. & Mrs. H.R. Mansfield of Christchurch.
Mrs P.M.J. Mansfield of London, England

Born in Christchurch on the 21st October, 1912, Nelson Mansfield received his secondary education at Christchurch Boys' High School, attaining Matriculation standard. He was senior tennis champion while at School and was also outstanding at swimming sports. After leaving school he accepted an appointment with Francis Holmes Ltd., Wellington. February, 1939 he applied for a Short Service Commission in the Air and on being accepted was posted with the rank of pilot officer the 20th September, 1939 to the Ground Training School, Rongotai. the conclusion of this preliminary training, in December, 1939 he posted to No. 1 Flying Training School, Wigram, to commence his training. While here, on the 10th February, 1940 he was awarded his ying Badge. On the 26th April he embarked on the "Rangitiki at ckland to proceed to the United Kingdom.

On arriving in England, Wing Commander Mansfield reporte to Air inistry and was granted a Short Service commission in the Royal Air Force or five years from the 8th June, 1940 with the commencing rank of pilot fficer. He was instructed to proceed to the Royal Air Force Depot, xbridge, Middlesex, on the same date for a short disciplinary course, ollowing, which he was given a two weeks' refresher flying course before eing posted on the 29th June, to No. 13 Operational Training Unit. At he conclusion of his operational training he was posted on the 24th August, 1940 to No. 128 Squadron and commenced operational flying. After completing his tour of flying duties with this squadron he was promoted to flying officer on the 12 May, 1941 and posted to No 23 Operational Training Unit for duty as an instructor. During his service with this unit on the 16th August, 1941 he was promoted to flight lieutenant, and on the 28th March, 1942, to squadron leader. Later, when engaged in a further tour of operational flying, on the 16th September, 1943 he received his promotion to wing commander. Wing Commander Mansfield remained with the Operational Training Unit, until the 20th July, 1942, when he was attached to No. 1501 Beam Approach Training Flight for an instrument flying course. This was followed by a period of leave at the conclusion of which on the 31st May, 1943 he was posted to No. 97 Squadron.