AIR FORCE LOSSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24079, 25 September 1941, Page 12

AIR FORCE LOSSES

DEATH IN ENGLAND BIRKENHEAD TEACHER INJURED DURING OPERATIONS Advice that tlieir eldest son, Ser-geant-Pilot William Robert Dil, has died from injuries received in air operations over England, was contained in a cablegram received yesterday from the Air Ministry by Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Dil, of 13 Tennyson Street, Birkenhead. Sergeant-Pilot Dil, who was aged 22, was horn at New Plymouth. He was educated at the Birkenhead Primary School and the Northcote High School, later continuing his studies at Auckland Teachers' Training College and Auckland University College. After being a relieving master' at several country schools, Sergeant-Pilot |)jl bad been posted to the staff of the Birkenhead School when he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in September of hist year. He trained at Levin, Harewood and Woodbourne before leaving for Canada in April. A member of (lie Piha Surf Club, Ser-geant-Pilot Dil also played Rugby League for the Northcote Club and was prominent as a table tennis player.

MISSING OFFICERS PRISONER AND WOUNDED [BY TELEOHAI'H — I'RKSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The following Air Force casualties were officially announced to-day: Knight, John Frederick (Pilot-Officer), K.X.Z.A.F.. missing on air operations— Air. F. Knight, (father). Orchard, Russell Ernest (Flt.-Lt.), R.A.F., missing on air operations—Mr. H. M. C. Orshard, Christclmrch (father). Black, Alexander John (Sgl.), R.N.Z.A.F., previously reported missing, now reported prisoner of war and wounded —-Mrs. H. L. Ross, Christclmrch (mother). Harrington, Barclay Christopher McGuirc (S«t.), R.N.Z.A.F., previously Teported suffering from multiple injuries, now removed from the seriously ill list —Mrs. S. Mahoney, Hawera (mother).