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NZ4211615 Pilot Officer Francis Charles MATTHEWS.
MOTHER: Mrs. H.F.J. Matthews of PALMERSTON NORTH.

Born in Palmerston North on the 1st March, 1924, Francis Matthews received his secondary education at the Technical High School in that town where he passed the matriculation examination and obtained his School Certificate. He subsequently continued his studies by attending classes in commercial subjects and passed in five subjects of the Accountancy Professional examination. His sports included rugby and cricket in which he played for his school First Fifteen and First Eleven respectively. In October, 1941 he enrolled in the newly formed Air Training Corps an in June, 1942 applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Pilot Officer Matthews was enlisted on the 19th September, 1942 at R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Levin, where he was employed on ground duties while awaiting training for aircrew. On the 27th October he was remustered to pilot under training and posted to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua. Following this, on the 3rd January 1943 he was posted to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, Ashburton, to commence his flying training and on the 1st April 1943 embarked for Canada to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, Pilot Officer Matthews was posted on the 27th April, 1943 to No. 37 Service Flying Training School Calgary, Alberta. While here, on the 20th August, he was awarded his flying badge and promoted to sergeant. Later when in England on the 20th February 1944 he was further promoted to Flight Sergeant. On the 2nd August 1944 he received his commission as a Pilot Officer. Meanwhile, on the 28th August, 1943 he had been posted to No. 1 Operational Training Unit, (redacted Bagotwell) Bagotville, Quebec, and at the conclusion of his course here he proceeded on the 1st December, 1943 to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, to await embarkation for the United Kingdom.

Having arrived in England on the 22nd December, 1943, Pilot Officer Matthews was held at No. 12 Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton until posted on the 14th February, 1944 to No. 53 Operational Training Unit, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, to complete his training on Spitfire fighter aircraft. This was succeeded by his posting for a short course with No. 1 Tactile Exercise Unit, Tealing, Angus, Scotland, prior to his posting on the 7th June, 1944 to No. 1695 Flight Dalton, Yorkshire.