Obituary

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30445, 20 May 1964, Page 12

Obituary

SQUADRON LEADER G. L. HARTGILL (N.Z. Press Association) DANNEVIRKE, May 19. . The “Admiral,” Squadron Leader George Leigh Hartgill, one of the best-known figures of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in World War H, died in Palmerston North recently in his seventy-sixth year. A foundation member of the Royal Naval Air Service at Gosport (Southampton) at the outbreak of World War L George Hartgill retained an interest in flying matters all his life.

In World War II his role as administration officer with the initial Flying Training Wing brought him in direct contact with virtually every air-crew member. Born to a commercial and farming family in Southern Hawke’s Bay, SquadronLeader Ha'rtgill resided in Dannevirke both before and after World War 11. He is survived by a brother (Hastings) and two sisters.

MR W. G. TWEEDY Mr William Glenholme Tw.eedy,- a former Mayor of Timaru and a man who was prominent in South Canterbury affairs, died in Christchurch recently. He was mayor of Timaru from 1938 until .1941, when he went to the Middle East as Red Cross Commissioner with the 2nd New Zealand- .Expeditionary Force. .

In World War I Mr Tweedy served as a captain, and in Waimate where he was in practice after the war as a solicitor, he was president of the Returned Services’ Association from 1925 to 1927. Then he moved to Timaru and served on the executive of the South Canterbury R.S.A., holding the. position of president from 1931 to 1933 and from 1947 to 1948.

Mr Tweedy was awarded a New Zealand Gold Star Badge in 1950 for his long service to the R.S.A.

Two years ago he was elected a life member of- the South Canterbury association. Mr Tweedy had been largely responsible for the establishment of the Pleasant Point, Milford-Clandeboye, PareoraSt. Andrews, and Mackenzie branches of the R.S.A. He was also chairman of the management committee of the Beverley War Veterans’ Home in Timaru.

Mr Tweedy was a governor of Timaru Boys’ High School' for a number of years. He had also been president of the South Canterbury Drama League and Heritage. Mr Tweedy was an enthusiastic sportsman and 3 lay reader of St. Mary’s Anglican Church.

He is survived by his daughter, Mrs I. King, of Diamond Harbour.

MR W. J. SHANLY

(N.Zn Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 19.

A well-known figure in New Zealand aviation, Mr William Johnston Shanly, died in Wellington yesterday. He was aged 63. As general secretary of the Aviation Industry Association, Mr Shanly was associated with a constant .drive for the adoption of improved techniques and the elimination of red tape procedures in the industry.

Mr Shanly was appointed secretary of the Aerial Work Operators’ Association when it was formed in 1949-. From a body Which represented only aerial topdressing operators, he built it into a powerful organisafion representative of all branches of commercial aviation activity, except aero clubs.

Before the war Mr Shanly was a member of the secretarial corps in Parliament Buildings and served 24 ministers of the Crown between 1924 and 1939. He was the first R.N.Z.A.F. administrative officer to serve tin the first R.N.Z.A.F. unit overseas. He was director of j manning with the rank of ; wing commander when, he was •released to the active reserve in 1946.

Mr Shanly is survived by his wife, two sons and two ■laughters.