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NZ415778 Flying Officer Sidney Frederick PARLATO. D.F.C.
Widow: Mrs. P.M. Parlato of Palmerston North.
Mother: Mrs. A.B. Parlato of Hastings.

Sidney Parlato was born on the 30th January 1911 at Upper Hutt and gained his Proficiency Certificate at the Taikorea School in 1924. He played football, and cricket at School, and afterwards was interested in deerstalking and pig hunting. He joined the Milson Aero Club in 1939, but was unable to finish his training. He was employed as a truck and tractor driver, and at the time of applying for aircrew training in the Royal New Zealand Air Force was employed in this capacity by H.R. Jensen of Palmerston North.

Flying Officer Parlato was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 19th October, 1941 and on completion of his Ground Training Course proceeded to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood, on the 29th November to commence his flying training. He was then posted on the 5th April 1942 to No. 1 Service Flying Training School, Wigram and while at this Unit was awarded the Flying Badge on the 15th June, and promoted to Sergeant on the 5th September. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st June, 1943 while serving overseas, commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 21st January, 1944 and granted the rank of Flying Officer on the 21st July, 1944. Meanwhile he had embarked for the United Kingdom on the 16th September 1942.

On arrival Flying Officer Parlato was posted to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 19th November where he remained until proceeding on the 1st January 1943 to No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School, Ansty, Warwickshire. From here he was reposted on the 28th January to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth prior to proceeding on the 9th February to No. 3 (P) Advanced Flying Unit, South Cerney, Gloucestershire and trained on Oxford aircraft. While at this Station, he was attached to No. 1531 Beam Approach Training Flight, Cranage, Cheshire from the 10th to the 18th March for a course. His next posting was to No. 1655 Mosquito Training Unit, Marham, Norfolk, on the 7th July where he converted to Mosquito aircraft and thence on the 30th August (redacted (Jamaica)) to No. 139 Jamaica Squadron, Wyton, Huntingdonshire, and commenced operational