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JN/NF (right aligned)
437320 : Pilot Officer Robert Joseph MARSH.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. H.E. Marsh of Auckland.

Robert Marsh was born at Auckland on the 21st January, 1925. He received his secondary education at Otahuhu Technical High School. His sports included cricket, football, running and swimming. He worked on a farm for some two years, but in the outbreak of War became a munition worker with an engineering firm in Auckland. During this period he became a member of the Air Training Corps. His application for War service in the R.N.Z.A.F was made in February, 1943.

Pilot Officer Marsh was enlisted on the 14th May, 1943, at R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Omaka, and was for the time being employed on ground duties. On the 2nd July he was posted to R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Delta, and from here on the 20th July he proceeded to R.N.Z.A.F. Station, New Plymouth. On the 16th September he was remustered to air gunner under training and posted to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua, for training as aircrew. He embarked for Canada on the 15th January, 1944 for training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, P/O Marsh was, on the 13th February, 1944, posted to No. 2 Air Observers' School, Edmonton, Alberta, where he was, on the 30th June awarded his flying badge as an air navigator and was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer. On the 12th July he proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, to await embarkation for the United Kingdom.

P/O Marsh arrived at No. 12 Personnel Despatch and Receiving Centre, Padgate, Lancashire, on the 27th July, 1944, and was on the 29th August posted to No. 9 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, Llandwrog, Caernarvonshire, Wales. On the 17th October he proceeded to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, first at Westcott, and later at Oakley, both in Buckinghamshire/. At these stations he crewed up and completed his training on Wellington bomber aircraft.