AIRMEN’S WELFARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25305, 16 August 1943, Page 2

AIRMEN’S WELFARE

RECEPTION IN ENGLAND FORMATION OF CREWS (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14. Members of the. R.N.Z.A.F. arriving in England from, New Zealand and Canada spend, on an average, five weeks at/a personnel reception centre. It is attended by both New Zealanders and Australians, who continue their training and are formed into crews, preparatory to proceeding to operational training units. Squadron Leader H. S. Hannah, of Wellington, who is a nephew of Mr Richard Seddon and was at school at Wellington College with Lieutenantgeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg, is commanding officer of the New Zealand section. He has served in France and Norway in this war, and also at several operational bombing stations. The New Zealanders take courses, including signals, armament, aircraft recognition, and the Link trainer, and also lectures on security. Those who are not formed into crews in Canada are arranged in crews and recommended to fly various types of aircraft. Flying Officer R. A. Colville, of Christchurch, interviews the pilots, and Flying Officer E. Redshaw, of Auckland, is in charge of the observers. An hotel has been commandeered for the centre, and there are many opportunities for recreation and sport. Last winter the New Zealanders maintained an unbeaten Rugby team. The New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr W. J. Jordan, frequently visits_ the centre to welcome the latest arrivals and tell them something of the life which lies before them. The latest draft was welcomed yesterday.