First Native-Born Yugoslav In R.N.Z.A.F.
[Special to “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND, This Day
The first Yugoslav not born in New Zealand to be accepted for the Royal New Zealand Air Force is LeadingAircraftsman Ivan Tvrdeich, aged 28. He expects to proceed overseas for final training as an observer.
When he arrived in New Zealand 12 years ago he could not speak English. He volunteered on the outbreak of war. He commenced the study of aeronautics and four months ago he was called up for training. “The instructors were wonderfully kind and good to me,” he said today. “In their own time they gave me extra tuition and helped me to pass all examinations. New Zealand is the finest country in the world and the people are the kindest and most hospitable. “My father told me that, and that is why I came to New Zealand at the age of 16. My father was here from 1902 to 1911, and then returned to Dalmatia and married by mother,” Ivan hopes that his duties will take him over Berlin and Rome.
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Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 4
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178First Native-Born Yugoslav In R.N.Z.A.F. Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 4
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