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42787 Aircraftman First Class James MITCHELL.
Sister: Mrs. I.M. Thompson of Calgary, Canada.

James Mitchell was born in Cardross, Dunbarton, Scotland, on December 31st 1899 and received his secondary education at the Heriot Watt College, Edinburgh. He also took an engineering course at the Tynecastle Technical College, Edinburgh. Prior to coming to New Zealand in 1939 he had been Instructor at the Edinburgh Gliding Club and in addition had had flying experience in the 1914-1918 War in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. At the time of applying for enlistment in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as an electrician he had been employed by the Public Works Department at Rongotai. His previous occupation had been that of Electrical Contractor and Machinery Merchant in business on his own account.

Aircraftman Mitchell was enlisted at Harewood on a recruit course on January 20th, 1942, pending the commencement of the instruction course as Electrician. He was posted to Whenuapai on March 8th proceeding to the Electrical and Wireless School, Wigram, on May 18th. He passed a Trade Test here on August 19th and shortly afterwards was transferred to No. 1 Squadron, Whenuapai.

Aircraftman Mitchell was a member of the crew of a Hudson aircraft engaged on a test flight which crashed at Whenuapai on December 17th 1942. All the crew lost their lives in the accident, including Aircraftman Mitchell who was buried in the Soldiers Section, Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland.

5/3/22431 A.S.2.

Mrs. I.M. Thomas (S) (right aligned)
1910 4th Street N.W., (right aligned)
Calgary, Alberta, (right aligned)
CANADA (right aligned & underlined)