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412517. FLIGHT SERGEANT HARRY DONALD PARKER.
Father: Mr. H.L. Parker of Mt. Eden. AUCKLAND.

Harry Parker was born at Wellington on the 2nd February 1920 and received his secondary education at the Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland where he obtained his Senior Free Place. The sports in which he was actively interested included running, yachting, swimming and cricket. His civil occupation was that of a railway porter and he was so employed by the New Zealand Railways at Auckland when, on the 9th January, 1940 he made application for Aircrew training in the R.N.Z.A.F.

Flight Sergeant Parker was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 13th April, 1941 and on the completion of the initial course he proceeded on the 5th July, to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth to commence his flying training. While at this station in August his flying training was terminated and was posted to Rongotai for remustering to an Air Observer. He was reposted to the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 2nd November, and on the completion of the course embarked on the 17th December, for Canada to further his training under the (redacted Elementary Flying Training School) Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada Flight Sergeant Parker proceeded to No. 6 Air Observers' School, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on the 3rd January, 1942 but here his training was discontinued and he was posted to the Composite Training School, Trenton, Ontario, on the 25th April, where he was remustered to Air Gunner and posted to No. 6 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mountain View, Ontario, on the 23rd May, 1942. At this School, on the 22nd June, 1942 he was awarded the Air Gunners' Badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 15th May 1943. Meanwhile, on the 2nd July, 1942 he had proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia to await embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Flight Sergeant Parker arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth and was posted on the 1st September 1942 to No. 7 Air Gunner School, Stormy Down, Glamorganshire, on the conclusion