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R.A.F. 36247 Flight Lieutenant Graham Noel PARKER.
Wife: Mrs. G.N. Parker of England.
Mother: Mrs. M. Parker of Auckland.

Graham Parker was born in Finchley, London, England on February 9th, 1919 and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1928. He received his secondary education at the Auckland Grammar School and the Kaitsis High School up to School Certificate standard. At school he was captain of the tennis team and 3rd. Grade representative of Mangonui County. He also played rugby, football and cricket, and was interested in swimming and shooting. At the time of making an application for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force on July 3rd, 1938, he was employed as a Motor Salesman by Messrs Schofield & Co. Ltd., Newmarket, Auckland. He reported at the Auckland Aero Club for a period of instruction from April 3rd, to June 11th, 1939 where he successfully passed his "A" License tests. He was granted a temporary commission as an Acting Pilot Officer on June 14th, 1939 and posted to Wigram for training. On December 1st, 1939 he embarked on the "Tamaroa" for the United Kingdom on transfer to the Royal Air Force.

Flight Lieutenant Parker on arriving in England on January 17th, 1940, was posted to No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge, transferring a fortnight later to Royal Air Force Station, Cranfield, for operational training. On April 19th, he proceeded to No. 12 Operational Training Unit, Chipping Warden, transferring the following month to No. 18 (P) Operational Training Unit, Bramcote, for flying duties. He was promoted to Flying Officer on January 17th, 1941 and further promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant on January 17th, 1942. Meanwhile, on March 15th, 1941 he had been posted to No. 75 Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk, six months later proceeding to No. 6