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402559: FLYING OFFICER LEO GEORGE MEE
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. A.A. MEE of PICTON.

Leo Mee was born at Wellington on the 9th May, 1916 and received his secondary education at the Wellington Techincal College where he reached Senior Free Place standard. The sports in which he was most interested included football and swimming. His civilian occupation was that of general farming and he was employed by James Andrew of Masterton when, on the 25th October, 1939 he made application for training as aircrew in the R.N.Z.A.F. He was a member of the Territorial serving with the Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles at Masterton. In July, 1939 he made application for a short service commission in the R.A.F. but owing to the outbreak of war service in October of the same year.

Flying Officer Mee was enlisted at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, Blenheim on the 10th July, 1940 and employed on aerodrome maintenance duties until posting on the 22nd December to the Initial Training Wing, Levin. At this latter station he was remustered to Airman Pilot under training and on the completion of the initial course proceeded to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood to commence his flying training. On the completiong of the elementary flying course he was posted to No. 2 Flying Training School, Blenheim where on the 5th May, 1941 he was awarded the Flying Badge and on the 14th of the following month was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer. He was further promoted to Flying Officer one year later. Meanwhile, in June, 1941 he embarked for the United Kingdom.

On arrival in England, Flying Officer Mee proceeded to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth and on the 3rd October, 1941 was posted to No. 10 Operational Training Unit, first at Abingdon, and later at Stanton Harcourt both in Berkshire. He completed his training on Whitley bomber aircraft prior to posting, on the 19th November, 1941 to No. 102 Squadron at Topcliffe, Yorkshire. With this squadron he flew Whitley bombers and in April attended a blind flying course at No. 1502 Beam Approach Training Flight, Driffield.