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402198 Flight Lieutenant Maxwell William McCORMICK.
Mother: Mrs. A.A. McCormick of NAPIER.

Maxwell McCormick was born in Hastings, Hawkes Bay on May 3rd 1915 and obtained his secondary education at the Napier Boys' High School up to matriculation standard. He also obtained 8 subjects in his Accountancy Professional. At High School he was a member of the 1st XV and later became a member of the Heretaunga Tramping Club, Hastings. At the time of applying for enrolment in the Civil Reserve of Pilots on July 5th 1939 he was employed as a clerk by Williams and Kettle Limited, Stock Station Agents, Hastings.

Flight Lieutenant McCormick was enlisted at Levin on July 27th 1940 and on completing his Ground Training Course was posted on August 25th to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood. On October 26th he proceeded to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Blenheim, where he was awarded the Flying Badge on January 17th 1941 and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on February 8th 1941. He was promoted to Flying Officer on February 8th 1942 an further promoted to Flight Lieutenant on May 22nd 1943. Meanwhile he had been posted to No. 2 General Reconnaissance Squadron, Nelson, on February 17th 1941. In June he was attached to No. 2 General Reconnaissance School on flying duties being appointed Navigation Officer.

Flight Lieutenant McCormick embarked for Suva on July 30th 1942 and later went to the forward area with No. 3 Squadron. On completing his operational tour he was returned to Suva to assist in operational training prior to returning to New Zealand.

Flight Lieutenant McCormick was a passenger on a Catalina flying boat which crashed in the sea on June 5th 1943 while en route from Espiritu Santo to New Zealand. There were no survivors of the accident and all the crew and passengers, including Flight Lieutenant McCormick were presumed to have lost their lives on the above date.

Find a Grave link with a photo of Flight Lieutenant McCormick: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/249305760/maxwell_william-mccormick/photo

5/1/793 A.S.2.
No Log Book.

Mrs. A.A. McCormick (M) (right aligned)
Haumoana R.D. (right aligned)
NAPIER (right aligned)