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Following a fortnight's exercises from Pallikulo airfield, Santo, 22 Squadron moved forward to Emirau, the most advanced RNZAF base in the Pacific. For the next two months, F/Sgt. Mortimer was engaged on almost daily operations against the Japanese in the Bismarck Archipelago area, the main target being Kavieng, captial of Japanese-held New Ireland, which was regularly pounded by the RNZAF fighter and bomber squadrons based on Emirau. F/Sgt. Mortimer also took part in Dumbo escort patrols and strikes on outlying islands, bridges, supply areas and plantations occupied by the Japanese. He returned to New Zealand on March 5th, 1945 and after a period of leave reported back to Ardmore for further training preparatory to returning to the Pacific for his second tour of duty. On April 15th, the Corsair in which he was flying crashed into a hillside in the Kaiahu district near Mangatangi during night flying exercises and he lost his life.

Find a Grave link with a photo of F/Sgt. Mortimer: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120581762/allan_mcdougall-mortimer

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Mrs. J. Mortimer (M) (right aligned)
Brydone, (right aligned)
SOUTHLAND. (right aligned & underlined)