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R.A.F. 60527 Pilot Officer John Ernest MOODIE (surname underlined)
Widow Mrs. M. Moodie of Auckland (One Child)

Born in Auckland on the 4th January 1917, John Moodie received his secondary education at Auckland Grammar School, where he passed the Matriculation examination and afterwards proceeded to Auckland University College to study law. After passing his law examinations he was admitted to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor. Keen on flying he joined the Auckland Aero Club gaining his "A" Flying License. Following the outbreak of war, he left New Zealand in February, 1940 with the intention of joining the Inns of Court Regiment but that regiment having no vacancies he enlisted on the 11th April, 1940 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was posted to the Royal Air Force station Padgate, Lancashire. He was next posted on the 26th July to No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School, Desford, Leicestershire, and at the conclusion of this preliminary training proceeded on the 7th September to the Royal Air Force College, Flying Training School, Cranwell, Lancashire. While here he was awarded his Flying Badge and on the 16th November he received his promotion to Sergeant. While here he was awarded his Flying Badge and on the 16th November he received his promotion to Sergeant. On the 2nd December, 1940 he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and posted to No. 54 Operational Training Unit, Church Fenton, Yorkshire, to crew-up and complete his training on Blenheim bomber aircraft. He remained with this unit until the 10th February, 1941, when he was posted to No. 68 Squadron but on the 18th June he was attached to No. 3 (redacted Delivery Flight) Ferry Pilot's Pool, Hawarden, (was Flinshire) Cheshire, for aircraft delivery duties.

On the 7th December, 1941, Pilot Officer Moodie was pilot of a Dominie aircraft proceeding from Litchfield to Hawarden. During the flight, the weather conditions deteriorated and the aircraft crashed near Ellesmore, Shropshire, Pilot Officer Moodie being killed. He was cremated in the Birkenhead Crematorium.

Find a Grave link with a photo of Pilot Officer Moodie: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59279860/john_ernest-moodie

18/1/1228 AS2.
475 hours as pilot.

Mrs. M. Moodie (W) (right aligned)
48 Selwyn Road, (right aligned)
Epsom, (right aligned)
AUCKLAND. (right aligned & underlined)