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NZ414657 Sergeant Giles Bacchus MARSH (surname underlined)
Parents Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Marsh of Christchurch.

Giles Marsh was born at Wyndham on the 3rd June 1920. He received his secondary education at the Northcote, High School, Melbourne and reached Matriculation standard, afterwards studying for the Royal Sanitary Institute Examination and attending plumbing classes at the Christchurch Technical College. He played hockey, and won the senior athletic championship at High School, later playing hockey for New Brighton's Old Boys' Hockey Club. After leaving school he was employed in various capcacities, and at the time of applying for enlistment in aircrew, on the 30th June, 1940, by Lane, Walker, and Rudkin Ltd., of Christchurch.

Sergeant Marsh 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. He embarked for Canada on the 17th November, to train under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Sergeant Marsh was posted to No. 4 Service Flying Training School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on the 5th December. Here on the 27th March 1942 he was awarded the flying badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant, then proceeding on the 10th April to No. 1 "Y" Depot Halifax, Nova Scotia, for embarkation for the United Kingdom.

After arrival at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 13th May, he was posted to No. 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Ossington, Nottinghamshire, for his advanced and night flying. During May he completed a beam approach course at No. 1520 Beam Approach Flight, Holme - On - Spalding Moor, Yorkshire, and proceeding to No. 16 Operational Training Unit, Upper Heyford, Oxford on the 4th August. Here he crewed up and completed his training as pilot of Wellington bomber aircraft, before converting to Lancaster aircraft at No. 1654 Conversion Unit, Wigsley, Nottinghamshire.