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404396 Sergeant William John PATERSON.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Paterson of TAKAPAU.

William Paterson was born at Palmerston North on the 7th November 1919 and his secondary education was received at Woodville District High School. The games he played were football, cricket and tennis. His civilian occupation was that of an exchange clerk in the Post and Telegraph Department and he was so employed in Napier when in October 1939 he applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Sergeant Paterson was enlisted for aircrew training on the 1st December 1940 at the Ground Training School, Levin and his flying training commence on the 20th January 1941 when he was posted to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth. This elementary flying training completed, on the 27th March 1941 he embarked for Canada for training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, Sergeant Paterson was posted on the 17th April 1941 to No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Dunnville, Ontario. While here, on the 3rd July 1941 he was awarded his flying badge and received his promotion to sergeant. Following this, on the 9th July he proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia to await embarkation for the United Kingdom.

On arriving in England later in July 1941, Sergeant Paterson reported to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, where he was held until posted on the 23rd August 1941 to No. 20 Operational Training Unit, Lossiemouth, Morayshire, Scotland to crew-up and for training on Wellington bomber aircraft. On the 31st October 1941 he was posted to No. 57 Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk, and commenced operational flying. As second pilot of a Wellington bomebr he carried out three operational flights which included attacks on Dunkirk and Emden. After completing these three operations, on the 8th December 1941 he attended an instrument flying course with No. 1505 Beam Approach Training Flight, Honington, Suffolk. At the conclusion of this course he rejoned No. 57 Squadron and resumed operational flying. As captain of a Wellington bomber he took part in a further seven operational flights bringing his total to ten operations. These further operational flights