FATAL AIR ACCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 202, 24 May 1945, Page 8

FATAL AIR ACCIDENTS

Flying Officer Nicholls Flying Officer Job’ll Austin P. Nicholls, whose death was reported from England as a result of a flying accident on April 16, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. AV 11. A. Nicholls, of Paraparatimu Benell ami Taihape. He was a pupil of the Taihape School and later of Scots College. Wellington. In 1936 and IJ3< he won the school mile race and later at Taihape- proved himself a long distance runner of note. In. 193.) he entered his father’s business (Nicholls Motors), eventually taking charge of the radio department.

In 1940 he enlisted in the Air Force, going into camp early in 1941 and leaving for Canada in September of that year. After completing his training he was transferred to England, where he took part in many operations. A month before his death he was awarded the United States Ai.r-Aledal, the citation of which has not sb’Ta'E'-'ti&n received. He was 25 years of age and single.

Warrant Officer R. G. Holford

Warrant Officer Robert Gordon Holford. who lost his life in an aircraft accident when on a flight from Ohakea on Tuesday, was- one of the original members of No. 75 Bomber Squadron. In his five years’ service overseas he took part in many operations over a wide area, for the most part in bombers- and latterly as the pilot of a Beaufighter on night patrols over, London and m action against the flying bombs. He returned to New Zealand last October, and had since taken up refresher courses preparatory to going on operations in the Ba ci fit* He went overseas in February, 1940. and three months .later was combat flying, during which, in August of that .year, he was injured when tlie bomber ii which he had been on raids over German.v crashed in a fog- tie had been one'of those who covered the retreat from Dunkirk. After recovering from bis injury he took part in many more notable operations, including the Battleof Britain, the first of the 1000-boinher raids over Cologne and Essein the first bomber raid from Malta to Naples, the dropping of supplies to the New Zealand guerrillas in Hie mountains ol Crete., amt the strafing of Rommel's retreat in North Africa. Between operations M'urrant Officer Holford carried out instructional work, and when in Canada gamed his pilot's wings. Born in Christchurch 20 years ago be was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. H o *" ford. Karori. He was educated at Elmwood Primary S.-hool ami at the Christchurch Boys' High School and the Auckland Grammar School. After the outbreak of war he joined the Air Force from the International Harvester Company.