429

RV/NF (right aligned)
428793 : Pilot Officer Cyril Desmond MULCAHY.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. C.D. Mulcahy of Levin.

Cyril Mulcahy was born on the 20th December, 1922, at Takapau, Hawkes Bay. He received his secondary education at the Levin District High School and Horowhenua College. He furthered his education in evening classes at Wellington Technical College, where he passed his Public Service Entrance Examination. He attained University Entrance standard/. His sports included football, tennis and swimming. For a short time during 1941, he was employed by the De Havilland Aircraft Co., Wellington, and at the time of his enlistment with the RNZAF, he was employed as a clerical cadet in the Air Deparment, Wellington.

P/O Mulcahy made application for aircrew training on the 10th February, 1942, and was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua on the 23rd July, 1942. On completing his initial training, he was posted to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth, and moved with the school to Ashburton in October. On the completion of his training in New Zealand he embarked for Canada on the 24th December, 1942.

On arrival in Canada, P/O Mulcahy was posted to No. 7 Service Flying Training School, MacLeod, Alberta, where he commenced training on Avro Anson aircraft. At this school he was, on the 14th May, 1943, awarded his flying badge and promoted to Sergeant. He was promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 14th November, 1943, and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 11th July, 1944.

Sailing from Canada for the United Kingdom on the 23rd June, 1943, P/O Mulcahy was, on arrival at No. 12 (RNZAF) Personnel Reception Centre, Padgate, posted to No. 14 Advanced Flying Unit, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and thence, on the 28th December, 1943, to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott, Buckinghamshire.