Noted N.Z. Airman Returns On Leave

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1948, Page 5

Noted N.Z. Airman Returns On Leave

WELLINGTON, Fri. (P.A.)— Among the passengers in the Empire Star, which arrived at Wellington from London, was a New Zealander who left here more than 10 years ago to join the Royal Air Force. He is Wing-Commander J. J. McKay, D. 5.0., D.F.C., D.F.C. (United States). Wing Commander McKay is on three months’ leave and is visiting his father, Mr J. G. McKay, a former first assistant master at Nelson College, who now lives at Wainui-Omata. When war broke out Wing Commander McKay was a pilot officer in a heavy bomber squadron which operated over Germany. By the end of his first tour of operations he had been promoted squadron leader and awarded the D.F.C. WORK IN DESERT For the next 18 months he was a flight commander in an instructional unit and while stationed in Scotland he met his wife, Flying Officer H. J. Kidson, WAAF, whom he married in Cairo in 1944. In association with the Americans, he later commanded a squadron of Liberators based in the Western De’sert. For his work in the Middle East he .was awarded the D.S.O. and the American D.F.C. His final tour of operations was in Italy, where he was a group captain commanding a heavy bomber wing. Since the end of the wai- Wing Commander McKay has been on the staff' of the Air Ministry, London.