AIRMAN KILLED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 226, 22 August 1940, Page 5

AIRMAN KILLED

SON OF FEILDING RESIDENTS. A Press Association message from Wellington states that the following official announcement regarding a fatal Air Force crash at Blenheim yesterday was issued last night:— An acting-pilot under training of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was killed instantly at Blenheim to-day when the aircraft of which ho was the sole occupant crashed into a farm shed at 12.20 p.m. The victim was Leading-Aircraftsman Raymond Edward George Mason, his father being Mr J. H. Maspn, “To Maropai,” Reid’s Line, Eeilding. Leading-Air-craftsman Mason was engaged in solo flying practice when the accident occurred. The aircraft, which was a Vickers Vincent Trainer, burst into flames when 1 t struck the shed, being completely wrecked. The aircrait ambulance was quickly on the scene of the accident, which was about eight miles from the aerodrome. A Court of Inquiry is to be held. Condolences have been expressed on behalf of flic Minister of Defence POPULAR YOUNG MAN. Leading-Aircraftsman Mason, who was the elder son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Mason, of Reid’s Line, was born in Feidling, and his energetic and manly disposition stamped him as a youth who would make his way in the world. Courteous and gentlemanly in character, he was a popular member of too Young Farmers’ Club movement and was one of the first presidents of that organisation in Feilding. Ho took a keen interest in farming and the problems connected with it, and despite Ins youth lie had a wide knowledge of live-stock, and while at the High School in Feilding he took his work very seriously. The Community Centro attracted his interest, and he took part in the dramatic classes conducted Early in Ills life deceased directed his attention to aviation and well before tho war broke out had covered many hours’ training for a pilot’s certificate. Joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force carried him a step further in a promising career, and ho received instruction at Levin, Oliakea and New Plymouth prior to proceeding to Blenheim for the final course. During his training it was stated that lie receneu excellent reports and his ability uas above the average. Mrs Mason said that her son s name had gone forward for appointment as an instructor, and in a recent letter lie had informed liis parents that lie had only one more hour’s flying to do to complete his requirements for his 1 Vin^s.” LaS Tuesday, deceased conducted a flight across country, from Blenheim to Oliakea, and as he passed over 1< eliding ho circled the home of his parents and leaned out of tho cockpit and waved. His mother saw his face, and that was tho last glimpse she had of her son. Mr J. H. Mason has just returned from a trip to the Taranaki district, and to him and Mrs Mason and the family the sympathy of many friends has been extended. . Deceased was on Jio deliveij staff of the “Manawatu Standard several years a"o covering the delivery in tlic Waituna-Haicrfmbe-Stanway area.