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43370 Pilot Officer Ernest Ian PARSONS.
WIDOW: Mrs. M. Cooker of Masterton (remarried)

Ernest Parsons was born in Christchurch on October 24th 1912 receiving his secondary education at the Christchurch Boys' High School later attending Canterbury University College and obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. He played rugby football and cricket and was also interested in boxing, swimming and gymnastics. He was a member of the High School Old Boys' Senior Rugby XV and Second Cricket XI. He obtained his "A" Licence in flying at Wigram in September 1932. He left for the United Kingdom in May 1933 by the "Port Melbourne" with the intention of enlisting in the Royal Air Force.

Pilot Officer Parsons arrived in England in July, 1933 but it was not until August 26th, 1935 that he succeded in entering the Royal Air Force as Airman-Pilot under training. He was promoted to Sergeant in May, 1936, this being confirmed in November. He was transferred to the Reserve in May, 1939, being recalled for service in October, 1939. Finally he was granted an emergency commission as Pilot Officer on April 1st 1940, and was posted to No. 10 Squadron, Leeming, Northallerton, Yorkshire.

Pilot Officer Parsons was the pilot of a Whitley aircraft returning from a raid on Turin, Italy on August 14th 1940 and which crashed in attempted an emergency landing on the beach off the English coast. Pilot Officer Parsons and the second pilot Sergeant A.N. Campion R.A.F. both losing their lives, but three other members of the crew escaped injury.

Pilot Officer Parsons was buried in the Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, Pas de Calais, France.

18/1/410 A.S.2.
No Log Book.

Mrs. M. Cooker (W) (right aligned)
c/o E. Styles, (right aligned)
Queen Street, (right aligned)
MASTERTON. (right aligned & underlined)