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391012 Warrant Officer Kenneth Edward William McCOMBIE (surname underlined)
Father: Mr. W.M. McCombie of TAIHAPE (town underlined)

Kenneth McCombie was born at Taihape on the 25th September 1915. The sport in which he was most interested was that of Rugby and he played for the Huia Football Club at Taihape. His civilian occupation was that of farming and he was so employed when on the 22nd November 1938 he made application for enlistment in the permanent Air Force. This application was, however unsuccessful, owing to the limited vacancies at that time and on the outbreak of hostilties he was, on the 24th October 1939 enlisted for war service.

Warrant Officer McCombie was enlisted at R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Ohakea, and employed there on ground duties until remustered to Airman Pilot; posted on the 4th May 1941 to the Initial Training Wing, Levin, to commence his aircrew training. On the satisfactory completion of the course at this station he was posted on the 14th June to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth, for his elementary flying and thence on the 26th July to No. 3 Flying Training School, Ohakea where on the 6th September 1941 he was awarded the Flying Badge and on the 18th October was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st October 1942 and to Warrant Officer one year later. Meanwhile on the 17th November 1941, he had embarked for the United Kingdom.

The journey made via America and Warrant Officer McCombie arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 26th December 1941 and on the 6th April 1942 proceeded to No. 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Ossington, Nottinghamshire. During May 1912 he attended a short course at 1512 Beam Approach Training Flight, Dishforth, Yorkshire, returning on the conclusion of the course at No. 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit at Ossington. On the 17th July 1942 he embarked for India. The journey was made by way of South Africa and Bombay, India was reached on the 20th October. Early in November he proceeded to the Communications Unit, Dum Dum, Calcutta and with this Unit for the next 6 months as the pilot of Lysander, Leopard Tipsy and other aircraft he