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ED/NF (right aligned)
411222 : Pilot Officer Arthur McCARTHY.
WIFE : Mrs. M.R. Topp of Auckland. (Remarried)
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. F.H. McCarthy of Auckland.

Arthur McCarthy was born at Southsea, Hampshire, England on the 10th September 1918. He came to New Zealand at an early age. He was educated at Kowhai Junior High School, Auckland. Later he attended night classes at Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland, where he studied mechanical engineering. The sports in which he took an active interest included football, cricket, running and boxing. On leaving school he was employed by Mr. G. Barnes, brass founder, fo Auckland. From 1935 to 1938 he was employed in Auckland as a butcher by Mr. W.W. Bailey and Mr. D.T. Goodwin respectively. He was in the employ of the latter at the time of his making application - on the 5th March, 1940 - for aircrew training with the R.N.Z.A.F.

Pilot Officer McCarthy was enlisted at Levin on the 16th February 1941 where he underwent his initial training as an air observer. Prior to his embarking for Canada on the 29th April 1941 he was remustered to air gunner.

Shortly after arrival in Canada Pilot Officer McCarthy was posted to No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba and thence - on the 29th September, 1941 to No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Fingal, Ontario, where he trained on Battle aircraft. At the latter unit - on the 24th October - he was awarded the air gunners' badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Three days later he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer. He proceeded - on the 30th October 1941 - to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he embarked for the United Kingdom.