420

MP/NF (right aligned)
40195 : Pilot Officer Anthony Vincent MUIR.
SISTER: Miss. V.M. Muir of Dunedin.

Anthony Muir was born on the 29th March, 1911 at Wanganui. He was educated at the Marist Brothers School, Wanganui, and Sacred Heart College, Auckland, where he attained in 1927, his University Entrance Examination. He later studied at Wellington Teachers Training College and at Victoria University College, and gained part of his Bachelor of Commerce Degree. Keen at sport, he enjoyed rugby, golf, badminton, cricket, tennis, and swimming. He was a member of the 1st XV at both the Sacred Heart College and Teachers Training College. His occupation prior to his enlistment was that of a school teacher.

In March, 1939, P/O Muir applied for a short service commission in the R.A.F. He was provisionally accepted, but his application was deferred for a number of months for medical reasons. After war broke out in September, however, he applied for war service training in the R.N.Z.A.F. as aircrew and eventually entered the Ground Training School, Levin, on the 15th January, 1940, as an air observer. In February, he was posted to No. 1 Air Observer's School, Ohakea, where he successfully completed his course and was awarded his Air Observer's Badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 27th May, 1940. The following day he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer. He later sailed from Auckland on the "Rangitata" for the United Kingdom on the 7th June, 1940.

On arrival in England, P/O Muir was posted to No. 17 Operational Training Unit, Upwood, Huntingdonshire, where he commenced training on Anson and Blenheim aircraft on August 13th, 1940. In October he was posted to No. 101 Squadron, West Raynham, Norfolk, where he spent a short time before proceeding to No. 15 Squadron, Wyton, Huntingdonshire. With this Squadron he was observer on Blenheim aircraft and carried out a number of operations, bombing barge concentrations in the towns of Antwerp, Belgium; and Flushing, Holland.