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4212589 : Flight Sergeant Ian James MUNRO.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. A. Munro of North Auckland.

Ian Munro was born at Kaitaia, North Auckland on 15th August 1924 and was educated at the Wellsford District High School. He played football for the school 1st XI and 1st XV and after leaving school played football and cricket for the Wellsford & Rodney Club. He was employed by his father as a farmer. He applied for aircrew training in October 1941, but did not enter camp until October 1942, when he was enlisted at Waipapakauri. After passing through the ground training schools at Waipapakauri and Whenuapai, he proceeded to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua in May 1943. He commenced his flying training at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood in August 1943. In October he was posted to Woodbourne for further training on Harvard aircraft. He was awarded his flying badge on 28th December, 1943 and promoted to Sergeant in February 1944. In March he was posted to No. 2 (Fighter) Operational Training Unit, Ohakea for training on Kittyhawk Fighters until in May he went to No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron, Ardmore. On May 8th, 1944 he was forced to bale out when his Kittyhawk caught fire and he suffered slight injuries.

On the 28th May, Flight Sergeant Munro proceeded overseas with the Squadron to Espiritu Santo, where the Squadron was converted to Corsair aircraft. The Squadron then moved on to Torekina, Bougainville on June 13th, staying at Guadalcanal on the way. For the next three months he took part in bombing and strafing raids against Japanese installations on Bougainville, New Britain and New Ireland. On August 19th, 1944 he was promoted to Flight Sergeant and returned with the Squadron to N.Z. shortly afterwards. After a period of training in N.Z., he returned with the Squadron in October, 1944 to Espiritu Santo, where he was engaged on combat training until in December, when the Squadron proceeded to Green Island.