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HW/NF (right aligned)
412714 : Flying Officer Archibald Allisdair MATHESON, D.F.M.
WIFE : Mrs. E.J.M. Matheson of Carterton.
MOTHER : Mrs. B.A. Matheson, also of Carterton.

Archibald Matheson was born on the 23rd May, 1915, at Carterton, and received his secondary education at Wairarapa College, Masterton, where he attained University Entrance standard. He was actively interested in rugby football and was a Wararapa representative player. At the time of his making application for aircrew service with the RNZAF - on the 23rd July, 1940 - he was employed in sheep farming activities by S.R. Gawith, of Masterton. Prior to enlistment he studied an RNZAF Educational Services pre-entry correspondence course.

F/O Matheson enlisted at Levin on the 4th May, 1941, and on satisfactorily completing his initial training, was posted to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood. At the end of June, however, his flying training was terminated. He was then posted to Air Headquarters, Wellington, and on being remustered, was again posted to Levin to commence training as an air observer.

Embarking for Canada on the 20th October, 1941, F/O Matheson was, on arrival, posted to No. 6 Air Observer's School, Prince Albert, Saskatcehwan. On the 14th February, 1942, he proceeded to No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan, where - on the 28th March - he was awarded the air observer's badge and promoted to Sergeant. He was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 10th February, 1943, and promoted to Flying Officer on the 10 August of the same year. In continuation of his training he was - on the 29th March, 1942 - posted to No. 1 Advanced Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba, for a short course, on completion of which he proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Shortly after arrival at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, F/O Matheson was posted to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Steeple Morden, Hertfordshire, where he carried out air exercises as