477

NZ415820 Flying Officer Henry James MURRAY. (surname underlined)
Parents Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Murray of Timaru.

Born at Pleasant Point, South Canterbury on the 11th December 1917, Henry Murray received his secondary education at the Timaru Boys High School, where he passed the Matriculation examination and obtained his school certificate. He subsequently furthered his studies by attending evening classes at the King Edward Technical College, Dunedin. The games he played were football, tennis and badminton. His civilian occupation was that of a fitter engineer in the employ of Messrs. John McGregor and Co., of Dunedin, Engineers. In June 1940 he applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Flying Officer Murray was enlisted for aircrew training on the 19th October 1941, at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, and was posted on the 29th November to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, Taieri, to commence his flying training. This completed, on the 14th January 1942, he embarked for Canada to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after his arrival in Canada, Flying Officer Murray was posted on the 15th February to No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Dauphin, Manitoba. While here on the 5th June he was awarded his flying badge and promoted to Sergeant. On the 15th January 1943 he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and on the 15th July 1943 promoted to Flying Officer. Meanwhile on the 20th June 1942 he had been posted to No. 4 Wireless School, Burtich, Ontario, for duty as a staff pilot. He remained with the Wireless School until the 5th March 1943 when he proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia to await embarkation for the United Kingdom.

Having arrived in England on the 11th April 1943 Flying Officer Murray was held at No. 1 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, until posted on the 25th May 1943 to No. 15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Grove, Berkshire, but his training here was interrupted