533

JN/NF (right aligned)
40194 : Flight Lieutenant Robert Ian McCHESNEY.
MOTHER : Mrs. E.M. McChesney of Auckland.

Robert McChesney was born at Kinohaku, Kawhia on the 4th October 1913. He received his secondary education at Seddon Memorial Technical School, Auckland, where he obtained his Proficiency Certificate. His sports were football, both rugby and association, tennis, swimming and yachting. His civilian occupation was that of bricklayer. In April, 1937 he applied for a short service commission in the R.N.Z.A.F. but was unsuccessful. On the outbreak of war he applied for aircrew service in the R.N.Z.A.F.

Flight Sergeant McChesney was enlisted on the 15th January 1940 at the Ground Training School, Levin for training as aircrew and on the 9th February was posted to the Training Squadron, Ohakea where on the 9th March he was awarded the air gunner's badge. On the 23rd March he embarked for the United Kingdom.

Shortly after arrival in England, F/Lt. McChesney was attached on the 4th June, 1940 to No. 264 Squadron, Duxford, Cambridgeshire. On the 13th June he proceeded to No. 5 Operational Training Unit, Aston Down, Gloucestershire, where on the 5th July, 1940 he was promoted to Sergeant. He was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 10th June 1941, and promoted to Flying Officer on the 10th June, 1942 and further promoted to Flight Lieutenant on the 1st September 1942. Meanwhile, after completing the course at No. 5 O.T.U. he was posted on the 6th July 1940 to No. 236 Squadron, then at Thorney Island, Hampshire, and later at St. Eval, Cornwall. With this squadron as a member of the crew of a Blenheim bomber, he took part in 31 operational flights, comprising 9 anti-submarine patrols, 17 offensive patrols, 2 reconnaissance flights over Brest, 2 flights affording cover to bombers and a naval escort flight.