Arthur Walter BRITTON

Serial Number: NZ1231
RNZAF Trade: Pilot
Date of Enlistment: 16th of September 1939
Date of Demob: Posted to the Reserve on the 22nd of September 1944
Rank Achieved: Flight Lieutenant
Flying Hours:
Operational Sorties: nil? He was a flying instructor

Date of Birth: 30th of June 1908, in Argentina
Personal Details: Arthur was granted his 'A' Licence with the Hawke's Bay & East Coast Aero Club on the 1st of June 1936. He was granted his endorsed 'A' Licence with the same club on the 28th of July 1936 and granted his 'B' Licence while still at Hastings on the 25th of May 1937. He later became a flying instructor with the Marlborough Aero Club until war broke out, upon which time he volunteered for RNZAF service.

After the war, Arthur spent some time in New Plymouth, and at Massey, Palmerston North learning the trade of farming. He then came to Cambridge in 1949, where he and his family were granted a demob farm at Maungatautari. When he retired, Arthur moved into Cambridge

Service Details: On entering the RNZAF, Arthur was granted a commission due to his experince as a flying instructor, and posted to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at RNZAF Station Taieri. There he continued in his previous peacetime role as a flying instructor, training pilots for the RNZAF. At some point he then moved to 2 EFTS at Bell Block, and in early 1940 he instructed fellow Cambridge airman, Hal Thomas, on how to fly.

Date of Death : Arthur died on the 24th of September 1993, aged 85, at Trevellyn Hospital, Victoria Street, Hamilton where he was by then living
Interred: Arthur's ashes were buried for a second time on the 14th of January 1994 but it is not yet clear if these transferred to Waipa Cemetery from Hautapu or vice versa.

Connection with Cambridge: Arthur lived in the Cambridge district from 1949. His son Peter still works the family farm

Thanks To: Peter Britton of Maungatautari, Cambridge for his assistance on completing this record of his father's RNZAF service, and to Errol Martyn for his ever-valued assistance and input

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