INSPECTION AT WIGRAM

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27277, 18 February 1954, Page 9

INSPECTION AT WIGRAM

FAREWELL BY CHIEF OF STAFF BADGE PRESENTED TO STATION New Zealand’s new Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal W. H. Merton, C. 8., 0.8. E.), and the departing Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal D. V. Carnegie,, C. 8., C.8.E., A.F.C.), yesterday arrived at the Royal New Zealand Air Force station, Wigram, on*a visit of inspection. Air Vice-Marshal Carnegie gave an address of farewell, and presented the station with its new badge.

Air Vice-Marshal Carnegie piloted a Devon aircraft from Paraparaumu, landing on the tarmac in front of the assembled 539 officers and men of the wing, drawn up in parade formation. After the Royal salute had been played, Air Vice-Marshal Carnegie and Air Vice-Marshal Merton inspected the wing, accompanied by the station commander (Group Captain B. S. Nicoll). The parade was under the command of Wing Commander S. G. Quill, who will leave for England early next month.

Addressing the wing, Air ViceMarshal Carnegie said the Wigram station had the proudest tradition of any in the R.N.Z.A.F. Opened in 1923, it was the service’s first station. Even before that, when the station belonged to the Canterbury Aviation Company, pilots were trained for the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and 1918. When further outlining the history of the station, Air Vice-Marshal Carnegie paid a tribute to Sir Henry Wigram and to his efforts in making the airfield the service’s first permanent station. “If it had not been for,, his foresight the station would not S? nie into being,” he said. In aaJJ 16 air , fi ? ld was bought for £30,000, of which Sir Henry Wigram contributed £lO,OOO himself. * Jb’s is the last ceremonial parade I shall attend before I return to Britain,” said Air Vice-Marshal Carnegie. “I am very proud to have spent three years in this Air Force. It has a long way to go. but it has alreadv achieved much.

“The strength of an air force is in its personnel, both officers and men--the men are just as good as their officers and no better. During World War II the numbers increased from 750 to 43,000, which showed what this country was able to do. We know there are still many things wrong with it which are slowly being put right,” he said.

Air Vice-Marshal Carnegie introduced the wing to his successor, Air Vice-Marshal Merton, saying that he had a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force. “I know he will put all his ability and effort into the job. Now good luck and good-bye,” said.

Presenting the badge to the station, Air Vice-Marshal Carnegie said it bore the signatures of the Chester Herald, and of the Queen. It perpetuated the memory of Sir Henry Wigram, not only in.its name but also in the crest, which incorporated parts of Sir Henry Wigram’s personal crest. The motto In Deo et in Alis Salus meant “In God and in our wings lies our safety”—a very appropriate motto for the station. After the presentation Air ViceMarshal Carnegie took the salute in a ceremonial march past. In the afternoon, accompanied by Air Vice-Mar-shal Merton, he inspected the station. Today they will visit the No. 3 Stores Depot, Weedons, before returning to Paraparaumu in the afternoon. The rest of the annual inspection will be carried out by Air Vice-Mar-shal Merton, finishing at Lauthala Bay, Fiji, in April.