REUNION OF AIR ARMOURERS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27642, 26 April 1955, Page 11

REUNION OF AIR ARMOURERS

GROUP CAPTAIN F. R. DIX GUEST OF HONOUR

The first armament officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force was guest of honour on Saturday evening at a reunion dinner of war-time R.N.Z.A.F. armourers. Group Captain j F. R. Dix, now officer commanding 1 R.N.Z.A.F. station, Wigram, was sent to England on a specialist armament course in 1937 and returned to start the first air armament school in New Zealand, at Wigram Before he left he had been a flying instructor. Former Air Force armourers came from many parts of New Zealand to attend the reunion, the first national function of its kind ever held. Many men had changed—hair a little thinner, waists a little thicker, as one man said—but it was not long before a roar' of conversation filled Riccarton House as old stories were retold and friendships were renewed. A small committee of Christchurch war-time armourers organised the reunion. On Saturday evening everyone decided that the functions should be held annually. Next year the venue will be Palmerston North. Mr R. L. Williams, president of the Christchurch committee, proposed the toast to the service. The reply was made by Flight-Lieutenant R. H Peart, station armament officer at Wigram, who said that armourers were known for their close comradeship. Mr C. Malzard proposed the toast, “Absent Friends,” and the president proposed a toast to the of the reunion committee, Mr F. B. Spensley.