WINGS BADGES PRESENTED

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23918, 9 April 1943, Page 4

WINGS BADGES PRESENTED

NEW R.N.Z.A.F. PILOTS CEREMONY AT CANTERBURY STATION For the first time since the outbreak o i the war pupils of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who have completed their training aS pilots at a Canterbury air station were presented with their wings badges at a formal ceremony yesterday afternoon. The badges were presented by the DeputyChief of the Air Staff (Air Commodore L. M. Isitt), who later took the salute at the march past of the new pilots and airmen who are beginning their flying training. In the past the ceremony of presenting the wings badges has been less formal and confined to the station, but yesterday afternoon’s ceremony was on the lines of those held in Canada and other countries in the Empire air training scheme. The pupils, their instructors, and station officers were all on parade, and there were a number of official visitors, including Brigadier A. S. Falconer, representing the Army, the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) and the Mayoress (Miss E. Couzins), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland), Lady Wigram, Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., and friends and relations of the graduating pupils. ■ With the Deputy-Chief of the Air Staff were Air Commodore G. S. Hodson, Officer Commanding Southern Group, and Group Captain K. L. Caldwell, O.C. of the station. Address to Pilots

Before pinning the wings badge on each pupil and presenting trophies for low and high-level bombing, Air Commodore Isitt gave a brief address. He said that on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Air Force he was glad to see Lady Wigram present. To older members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Sir Henry Wigram's name was well known, and everyone remembered the wonderful support he gave to aviation in the last war, and alter. - We are assembled to do honour to these young men who have completed their flying course and have been awarded their wings,” said Air Commodore Isitt. “Air Force wings are something more than just an article of clothing issued by the store and covered by dress regulations. They are an international emblem governed rigidly by a standard. They cannot be purchased or wangled. They must be earned. You know how hard you have had to work to earn them. I congratulate you on attaining your wings, I know that you will wear them with pride, courage, and distinction.”

Air Commodore Isitt then gave the pupils some general directions which, he said, would aid them in their future service. They were to look after their ground crews, work as a team, be thorough in their Jobs, and be modest jn their conversation. The first pilot to receive his wings was Flying Officer R. J. Walton, who gained the only distinguished pass In the course. The others were: Leading Aircraftsmen J, S. Allen, J. H. Atkinson. N. C. Batten, H. H. Beard, N. H. Benton, H. W. Blackwood. W. C. Campbell, P. F. Carter, L. C. Cheggwidden, B, C. Cornish, C. C. Bumble; ton. A. F, H. Evans, C. C. Fantham, R. H. Freeman, W. O. Gill. M. L. Hoare. W. J. Morgan, A. G. Irons, A. C. Iversen. T. A. Kemp. E, J. Lawson. D. W. Lee, R. H. McAlister, E. O. W. McConnell. R. M. Mackay, L. C. Maud, C. A. Megson. W. P. Moffat. A. L. Moss, N. P. Overend, T. G. Page, S. D. H. Paynter, J. H. Pope, H. S. Schwass, Sergeant W. H. Smart, Leading Aircraftsmen E. P. Smith. J. W. Smith, W. L, Stewart, H. W. Thoms, E. N. J. Thomson, J. J. Wallace, G. F. Watkinson, K, O. Whitehouse, H. R. Wootten, and G. Wright. Bombing Trophies The trophy for low-level bombing—a miniature practice bomb—was presented to Leading Aircraftsman W. J. Morgan. In the practice 12 bombs were dropped from a height of about 250 feet, and the average error taken. The course average was 25 yards, which was a record, the previous figure being 28 yards. Leading Aircraftsman Morgan’s average was 11 yards. In the high-level practice, 16 bombs were dropped from about 10.000 feet, and the course average was 110 yards, average of the trophy winner, Leading Aircraftsman J. H. Pope, was 73 yards. After the march past, to the music of the station’s drum and pipe band, the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea.