N.Z. AIRMEN

Grey River Argus, 30 July 1940, Page 2

N.Z. AIRMEN

Six Missing WELLINGTON, July 29The following Air Fore® casualties ar e officially announced: —

Wing-Commander Leslie Clive Bennett, missing as a result of air operations. His wife is Mrs J. Bennett, of Chichester, England and his father is Mr E. H. Bennett, of Harrow, * England. Wing-Commander Bennett was born at Ngaroto, New’ Zealand.

Sergeant W. D. F. Annan, reported missing, believed killed. His father is Mr F. J. A. Annan, 58 Dickens Street, Napier. On e of the first airmen to leave New Zealand after the aeclaration or war, Sergeant William Donald Franci s Annan, 21, eldest son of Mr and Mrs F. J. Annan, of Napier, is reported killed in action over Germany. He was educated at Hastings Street School, Napier, and the Napier Boys’ High School. He studied at Victoria University College, Wellington, and joined the staff of the Commissioner of Taxes. .He trained au Levin and Ohakea air stations.

Flying Officer William Harcourt Coleman, RN.Z.A.F., missing, believed killed in operations. His mother Mrs A. Walton, 12 Derby Street, Devonport, Auckland. ■ Flying-Officer Coleman was years old. It is believed that he lost his life as a result of air operations on the night of July 25. Born m Christchurch, he was the son of the late Mr V. H. Coleman. His mother, Mrs Arthur Walton, now resides in Derby- Street, Devonport. He was educated at St. Mary’s Convent School, Christchurch, and the Christchurch Technical College. At the age of 15, he was the youngest active member of the Christchurch Gliding Club Later he trained with the Auckland Aero Club, and went to England in 1937, before the Government training scheme was in °P e ™‘ tion. He joined the R.A.F., and was to come r o New Zealand last year with a flight of Wellington bombers Since the outbreak of war commanded a Wellington ooni je , c«d made many flights over Getmissing believed killed. His lather is Mr C. H. Poole, 373 Herbert'Street, Invercargill. . Pilot Officer Rupert Edwart Short, missing- on air operations. His mine. S? Mr T. E, Short, 142 Campbell Roao, Green Lane, Auckland nnwns Sergeant Harry Chapman Downs, PN/ AF scr’ously injured in a Ilyin- accident. His mother is Mrs A. £-• Downs, 14 Calcutta Street, Khanda lah. Wellington.