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He was employed in New Zealand from November 1943 to February 1944 on flying duties which included several flights as escort to fighter aircraft en route to Espiritu Santo via Tontouta and Norfolk Island. In February, he again commenced a tour overseas rejoining No. 9 Squadron at Espiritu Santo, in a number of cases acting as fighter escort to Guadalcanal. Three months later, his squadron moved forward to Torokina air (redacted ship) strip and F/O Mather participated in the operations against Rabaul.

On the 14th June, 1944, the aircraft in which he was a member of the crew took off on a operation patrol and when passing Treasury Island crashed into the sea. The complete crew were killed, only two bodies being recovered.
Members of the crew were as follows:-
NZ 412251, F/O MATHER, Reginald Harold.
NZ 413855 F/O BATTYE, Jack Thomas.
NZ 41432. W/O LORENSEN, Ivan Roy.
NZ 4120020 SGT. NEIVE, William Reece.
NZ 432368, SGT. MOSEN, Henry Owen.

5/2/4816
1132 hours.

Mrs. M.J. Mather, (right aligned)
Bambton Lodge, (right aligned)
Oxford Street, LEMIN (right aligned & town underlined)