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NZ402199: Pilot Officer Roderick Urquhart McCRACKEN.
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. J.D. McCracken of Rangiora.

Roderick McCracken was born at Rangiora, Canterbury on the 4th November 1918, and was educated at the Medbury School, a Correspondence School, and Christs College, Christchurch. He played in the 1st X1 at College and was also keen on tennis and swimming. He was employed on his Father's farm, "Hayland", Rangiora prior to enlistment.

Pilot Officer McCracken applied for enrolment in the Civil Reserve of Pilots in February 1939 but was not accepted. On September 28th 1939 he applied for training in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a Pilot. He was accepted and after an educational course was enlisted at the Ground Training School, Levin on the 28th July 1940. His flying training commenced the following month at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, Taieri. He passed to No. 1 Flying Training School, Wigram in October 1940 and was awarded his Flying Badge at that Station on the 16th January 1941. He was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 8th February 1941.

Late in February 1941, Pilot Officer McCracken sailed for the United Kingdom via Canada, and shortly after arrival was posted to No. 17 Operational Training Unit, Upwood, Huntingdonshire, where he converted to Bristol Blenheim aircraft. In July, 1941 he was posted to No. 114 Squadron West Raynham, Norfolk. From this base he took part in sea sweeps off the coast of Holland and Belgium, and in bombing raids against a power station in Knapsack, Western Germany, and enemy E-boats in Boulogne Harbour, Northern France.

Pilot Officer McCracken was the Captain of a Blenheim aircraft which failed to return to its base after attacking enemy shipping off the coast of Holland on the 19th August 1941. A message was received by another flight over the radio telephone that the aircraft had been intercepted by enemy fighters, and from a statement of a survivor of the crew, it was disclosed that the aircraft crashed into the sea approximately four miles North West of the Hague. It has now been assumed that Pilot Officer McCracken lost his life at sea without trace on the 19th August 1941.

Find a Grave links with photos of Pilot Officer McCracken:
1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15258717/roderick_urquhart-mccracken
2. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/187447183/roderick-urquhart-mccracken

5/1/476 AS2.
213 hours as Pilot.

Mrs. H. McCracken (M) (right aligned)
"Hayland" Rangiora, (right aligned)
CANTERBURY (right aligned & underlined)