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NZ416520 Flying Officer Hector William MELDRUM (surname underlined)
Mother Mrs. H.A. Meldrum of Hastings.

Hector Meldrum was born at Hastings on the 15th November 1914. He received his secondary education at the Hastings High School, and passed the Matriculation examination, afterwards studying fore the Professional Accountancy Examination. From the time of leaving school, until applying for enlistment in aircrew in March, 1941, he was employed in a clerical capacity by W.R. Richmond, Ltd., of Hastings.

Flying Officer Meldrum was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 29th November, 1941, and proceeded to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth, on the 10th January, 1942 to commence his pilot training. This, however, was terminted the same month, and he was remustered to Air observer at Rongotai, and reposted to the Initial Training Wing, which had moved to Rotorua, on the 23rd March. He embarked on the 27th April for Canada, to train under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Flying Officer Meldrum arrived in Canada on the 17th May, and commenced his training at No. 5 Air Observers School, Winnipeg, on the 25th of the same month. He was posted to No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba, on the 14th September and back to No. 5 Air Observers School, Winnipeg on the 8th November. Here on the 18th December he was awarded the Air Bomber badge and commissioned with the rank of Pilot Officer. Later, in the United Kingdom, he promoted to Flying Officer on the 18th June 1943. Meanwhile after a short course at No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School, Jarvis, Ontario, he proceeded on the 3rd February 1943, to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Flying Officer Meldrum arrived at No. 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, Brighton, on the 14th February, and remained there until Posting to No. 4 (O) Advanced Flying Unit, West Freugh, Scotland on the 9th August 1943.