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RAF 41607 Pilot Officer John Stewart MITCHELL
Parents Mr and Mrs A.S. Mitchell of Christchurch.

(indented) John Mitchell was born at Wellington on the 10th November 1918. He received his secondary education at Wellington College and passed the University Entrance Examination, afterwards studying by night classes at the Wellington Technical College, where he was successful in passing the first section of the Accountancy Professional examination. At College he played football, cricket and tennis, also taking part in swimming, boxing and athletics. After leaving school he played football and cricket for Wellington College Old Boys and tennis for Victoria University College. From the time of leaving school in 1935 until applying for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force in December, 1937, he was employed by the Wellington City Council on clerical duties. He was selected for a short service commission in July, 1938 and embarked by the "Rangitane" on the 22nd September, 1938 for the United Kingdom.

(indented) Pilot Officer Mitchell arrived at No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge, Middlesex late in October and was posted to No. 12 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School, on the 31st October, 1938 and granted the rank of Pilot Officer. He completed his elementary flying there on the 13th January 1939 and proceeded to No. 9 Flying Training School, Hullavington, Wiltshire, on the 29th of month for training on Hawker Hart aircraft. Here on the 17th June 1939 he was awarded the Flying Badge and completed his service training on Audax aircraft on the 30th August 1939. On the 9th September, he proceeded to No. 11 Group Fighter Pool for conversion to Hurricane aircraft and on the 8th October was posted to No. 222 Squadron at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, being posted back to No. 11 Group Pool on the 23rd of the same month, for further training on Hurricane aircraft. On the 26th November, 1939 he commenced operational flying with No. 1 Squadron R.A.F. supporting the British Expeditionary Forces on the Continent, and with this Squadron from bases on the Continent took part in 11 operational patrols.