107

MP/NF (right aligned)
405302 : Sergeant George Wilfred MARTIN.
FATHER : Mr. C.H. Martin of Linwood, Christchurch.

George Martin was born in Christchurch on the 23rd May, 1919. He was educated at the Christchurch Technical College, where he attained his Senior Free Place in 1934. As a sportsman he was interested in rugby and swimming. His occupation was that of a carpenter and he was employed by S.F. Clark Ltd., Christchurch.

Sgt. Martin made application for enlistment in the RNZAF as aircrew on the 29th December, 1939. He was eventually enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin in December 1940 and later promoted to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood to commence his flying training. He completed his course at Harewood and on May 26 embarked for Canada.

In June, directly after his arrival, Sgt. Martin was posted to No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Dauphin, Manitoba. However his flying training was terminated, and on July 24, 1941 he was remustered to Wireless Operator Air Gunner and posted to No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba. From this school, he proceeded to No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan, where, on January 19, 1942, he was awarded his Air Gunners' badge and was promoted to Sergeant. At the conclusion of the course he embarked for the United Kingdom, arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on March 10, 1942.

Shortly after his arrival in England, Sgt. Martin was posted to No. 4 Signals School, Madley, Hertfordshire, and six weeks later moved to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire for training on Wellington aircraft. While at the OTU he also spent a short time at the nearby satellite aerodrome, Steeple Morden. In September he wa posted to No. 115 Squadron, Mildenhall, Suffolk, where he served with the Squadron in air operations over enemy territory and mine-laying operations off the Frisian Islands.