James Benjamin LINSLEY
Known as Ben

Serial Number: NZ411122
RNZAF Trade: Flight Mechanic
Date of Enlistment: 1941
Rank Achieved: Leading Aircraftman (at least)
Flying Hours: Nil Known
Operational Sorties: Nil Known

Date of Birth: Born on the 2nd of October 1917 in England
Personal Details: The only child of James and Nan Linsley, Ben was born in England, and the family moved from Grimsby to New Zealand in 1922. After initially settling in Auckland, they soon relocated to Cambridge, where Ben's parent's became very involved with the community and St Andrew's Church in Cambridge. Ben's father worked for Sayers and Ward as a buyer from the time he moved to Cambridge till he retired in 1950, when the couple moved to Te Awamutu to look after Nan's widowed aunty. James and Nan died within days of each other in March 1975.

Ben was educated at Cambridge Primary School having transferred there from Te Awamutu District High School.

On the 24th of July 1946 the Waikato Independent reported that Ben had been awarded the dairy manufacturer's manager's ticket. It stated he had, "recieved early training at the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., Hautapu factory. It was while as a member of the Hautapu staff he was awarded the Massey College diploma. On his discharge from the Air Force he joined the staff of the Pio Pio Dairy Co. as first assistant."

At the time of his death he was living at 715 Mahoe Street, Te Awamutu, listed as a retired aircraft engineer.

Service Details: Ben joined up as a Flight Mechanic, and then he completed his Fitter IIE course at Rongotai on the 2nd of March 1942, but he and 28 others failed to gain sufficient marks to be remustered to the Fitter IIE trade. Only 26 airmen did pass that course!

Date of Death: 30th of May 2002
Buried: Plot 466, Row 9, Block IIA, Te Awamutu Cemetery

Connection with Cambridge: Ben grew up in Cambridge before the war

Waikato Independent reports that mention
Joined RNZAF at Harewood 7 Feb 1941
Welcome home dance 17 Aug 1945

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