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424871 Pilot Officer Joseph Raymon MOFFATT.
Father: Hon. W. Moffatt M.L.C. of PALMERSTON NORTH.

Joseph Moffatt was born in Palmerston North on December 28th 1919 and received his secondary education at the Palmerston North Boy's High School, afterwards attending the Sacred Heart College, Palmerston North. His sports activities included rugby, football, cricket and tennis. He later joined the Manawatu Golf Club and the Palmerston North Tennis Club. At the time of applying for War Service in Aircrew on April 27th, 1941 he was employed as a salesman by Messrs. C.M. Ross and Company Limited, Palmerston North.

Pilot Officer Moffatt was enlisted at the Ground Training School, Levin, on May 4th 1942 as Aircrafthand/Maintenance Duties. He was posted to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua, on July 21st where he was remustered to Airman-Pilot under training and reclassified as Leading Aircraftman. Early in September he proceeded to Harewood for his elementary flying training thence in November to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, where he was awarded the Flying Badge on February 13th, 1943 and shortly afterwards promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Further promotions included Flight Sergeant on October 9th 1943; Warrant Officer on October 9th 1944 and Pilot Officer on February 21st 1945.

Meantime he had embarked for the United Kingdom on May 29th 1943.

On arriving in England on July 8th 1943 Pilot Officer Moffatt was posted from No 12 Personnel Reception Centre, to No. 7 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Peterborough, Northamptonshire towards the end of December, 1943. On April 11th 1944 he proceeded to No. 61 Operational Training Unit, Rednal thence in June to No. 1 Tactical Exercise Unit (redacted). He was transferred on July 11th to No. 5 Personnel Despatch Centre, Blackpool, for embarkation to North West Africa later in the month. On being posted overseas Pilot Officer Moffatt was attached to No. (F) 145 Squadron, Desert Air Force based at Ceceina, North