Horatio Nairn FREEMAN B.A.
Known as Ray

RNZAF Service Number: NZ1529
RNZAF Trade: Education Officer
Date of Enlistment: 1942
Date of Demob:
Rank Achieved: Flying Officer
Flying Hours: Nil Known
Operational Sorties: Nil Known

Date of Birth: 20th of October 1906
Personal Details: Horatio 'Ray' Freeman was the son of Charles and Florence May Freeman of Mount Eden, Auckland. He was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School, where he passed his Matriculation exam in 1923, and the following year he pssed his Class D teaching certificate. He then studied at and graduated from Auckland University College in August 1929 with a Bachelor of Arts.

He became engaged to Robina Eliza Johnston Arbuckle of Papakura in November 1928, and they were married on the 29th of January 1930 at Papakura Presbytarian Church.

Ray was appointed as an assistant school master at Cambridge District High School in January 1930, his initial class being Form IIIB. He also took on the role of coach of the school's rugby team. Horatio also became involved in amateur dramatics with the Literary Society.

In April 1940 Cambridge District High School was notified by the education department that its falling roll numbers meant they were to lose a teacher. Ray was chosen as the teacher to be moved on. During the May holidays in 1940 he and his family left Cambridge for a new post at Kaitaia High School in Northland, which also gave him a promotion.

However when Ray joined the RNZAF he returned to settle his wife and family back into the town as they would live in Cambridge whilst he was serving with the Air Force.

Following his RNZAF service Ray and the family moved back to Kataia where he carried on teaching. Ray was a very keen golfer (he and Robina both won several championships) and he also excelled at bowls,

Service Details: Ray was appointed to an Honorary Commission with the ASD Branch of the RNZAF sometime shortly after January 1942.

Died: 19th of October 1977, aged 70 (one day short of his 71st birthday)

Connection with Cambridge: Ray lived in and taught at Cambridge before joining the RNZAF

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