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NZ414656 Pilot Officer Edward Roy MARKLAND.
PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. E. Markland of HOKITIKA

Roy Markland was born at Chorley, Lancashire, on the 1st April, 1920 and came to New Zealand at an early age. He was educated at the Hokitika District High School. At school he played for the 1st XV, and also took part in swimming, tennis, cricket, rowing and hunting. From the time of leaving school in 1936 until applying for enlistment in aircrew, on the 10th August, 1940 he was employed as an Engineer's Assistant by Air Travel Ltd. at Hokitika.

Pilot Officer Markland was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 17th August, 1941 and proceeded to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood on the 28th September, to commence his flying training, thence on the 8th November to No.2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, Blenheim. Here on the 20th December, 1941 he was awarded the flying badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 31st January, 1942. While in the United Kingdom he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 14th January 1943. Meanwhile on the 20th February 1942 he had embarked for the United Kingdom.

Pilot Officer Markland arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 21st April, and proceeded to No. 6 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Little Rissington, Gloucestershire on the 16th May, also at the Sattelite (note spelling mistake)