PILOT'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1940, Page 8

PILOT'S DEATH.

N.Z. ATHLETE. PICKED UP IN SEA. DISTINGUISHED AIR RECORD. Official advice that their son. PilotOfficer Wilfrid Roberts, Royal Air Force, died in hospital in England yesterday. aft«r being picked op unconscious in the sea. off the English coast, was received this morning by Mr. and Mrs. W. Roberts, of 52, Scaview Road. Remuera. Forinerly employed a* an assessor by the North Island Motor Union Insurance. Pilot-Oflicer Roberts was 25 years of age, and was a well-known Auckland nthlete, footballer and hockey player. One of twelve chosen from 2500 applicants for service in the Royal Air Force. Pilot-Officer Roberts left New Zealand on August H, 1937. Only recently his parent* had advice from him that he had been promoted to the rank cf flyingofficer, but the promotion had not been gazetted, owing, it is understood, to delay caused by a congestion of appointments and promotions. Recently Transferred. The holder of a navigation certificate. Pilot-Oflicer Roberts was among the fir.-i to pass in astro-navigation. After some preliminary flying at Mangere, he went to England and received training at stations in various parte of the country. It was only recently that he was transferred to a Lincolnshire base. As an athlete. Pilot-Officer Roberts bad a record which was not confined to the Auckland Province. In his younger days, when he was attending the Auckland Grammar .School, he gained the Auckland secondary schools record lor 100 yards, covering the distance in 10 1-5 seconds. He did the 220 yards in 22 2-5 seconds. At one time he lived in Wellington, and won renown as a hockey player there, while he was known in Auckland as a member of the Grammar School first XL prior to leaving ior England.

In Rugby lie distinguished himself for two years, and was a member of the Auckland dammar Sflhool's undefeated senior team. His speed while plaving for the squadron hockey team in England won him a place on tho left wing of the Royal Air Force first XI., and, in recent inter-force games his pace attracted the atention of London sport* writer.*, who described him as the fastest wing seen for some years. In Lincolnshire lip received an immediate invitation to play for the county hockey XI. I oincidenct! placed him several time on tli,. snine station as Pilot-Officer K -V UriiiHlon. another Aucklander viio lied tli.- junior provincial title when Pilot Ollicer Roberts was the senior sprmt champion. He was well known yachtsman"*' — " S * "««