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R.A.F.42136 Pilot Officer Michael Ernest Brian MACASSEY (surname underlined)
Parents Mr. & Mrs. J.E. Macassey of Dunedin.

Michael Macassey was born at Dunedin on the 25th January 1917 and received his secondary education at Otago Boys' High School, attaining Matriculation standard. The sports in which he took part were rugby, cricket, and swimming and he was a member of his school shooting team. After leaving school he undertook general farm duties on his father's farm in Southland. Joining the Southland Aero Club he gained his "A" Flying Licence. In June, 1938 he applied for a Short Service commission in the Royal Air Force and on being provisionally accepted embarked on the "Tainui" at Wellington on the 31st January 1939 to proceed to the United Kingdom.

Arriving in England he reported to Air Ministry where he was confirmed in his appointment to a Short Service commission as a pilot officer for four years from the 13th May 1939 and was instructed to proceed on the same day to No. 10 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School, Yatesbury, Wiltshire. This preliminary flying training was followed early in May by a short disciplinary course at the Royal Air Force Depot, Uxbridge, Middlesex, after which his flying training was continued by his being posted on the 26th May to No. 5 Flying Training School, Sealand, Cheshire. While here he was awarded his Flying Badge. At the conclusion of his course at the Flying Training School, Pilot Officer Macassey was posted on the 6th November 1939 to the School of Army Co Operation, Old Sarum, Wiltshire. At the conclusion of this course early in January, 1940 he was held at the Air Crew Reservoir, Andover, Hampshire, while awaiting posting to a squadron and commencing operational flying. On the 24th February he was posted to No. 13 Squadorn, part of the Advanced Air Striking Force in France. On one occasion while carrying out a tactical reconnaissance in France his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. During June the squadron returned to England and on the 21st August Pilot Officer Maccassey was posted to No. 7 Operational Training Unit, Hawarden, Flintshire, North Wales.

On the 28th August 1940, Pilot Officer Maccassey was pilot of a Spitfire fighter which crashed on the beach at Holake, Pilot Officer Maccassey being killed. He was buried in the Hawarden Cemetery.

Find a Grave link with a photo of Pilot Officer Maccassey: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/138470071/michael_ernest_brian-macassey

18/1/1237 AS2.
370 hours as pilot.

Mrs. H.M.T. Maccassey (M) (right aligned)
C/- W.C. McLean, (right aligned)
Oparwie (right aligned)
TE KUITI R.D. (right aligned & underlined)