Noel Ray HEADIFEN

Serial Number: NZ42????
RNZAF Trade: Wireless Operator-Air Gunner
Date of Enlistment: Circa 1942
Rank Achieved: Flying Officer
Flying Hours:
Operational Sorties:

Date of Birth: Born on the 5th of May 1921
Personal Details: Noel was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Gordon Headifen of Kairangi, a farming district of Cambridge. He attended Cambridge Primary School (having already been schooled for a time at Ruaroa), and then continued his education at Leamington School. It seems that Noel moved to Dannevirke after WWII.

Service Details: Not a great deal is yet known about Noel's career in the RNZAF however it seems he joined the Air Force around 1942, as a Wireless Operator-Air Guner, and he was sent to Canada under the Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

He trained at No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Canada, in Course No. 44. (or 44th Entry as the RCAF put it). He graduated in December 1942. Where he went from there is not yet known.

Connection with Cambridge: Noel grew up in the Cambridge district before the war

Date of Death: 1999, possibly in Dannevirke

Waikato Independent reports that mention Noel Headifen
Promotion Gained 11 Oct 1944
Promoted to Pilot Officer 18 Oct 1944
Welcome Home Dance 17 Aug 1945
Flying Officer returns 3 Sept 1945
Leamington Welcome Home 8 Oct 1945

Thanks To: Luther Moore for information on the Wireless Operator-Air Gunner course in Canada

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