ACTING PILOT KILLED

Southland Times, Issue 24211, 22 August 1940, Page 6

ACTING PILOT KILLED

Aircraft Accident At Blenheim - MACHINE BURSTS INTO FLAMES (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 21. The following official announcement about a fatal Air Force crash at Blenheim today was issued tonight:— “An acting pilot under training in the Royal New Zealand Air Force was killed instantly at Blenheim today when an aircraft of which he 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. Mason, Te Maropai, Reid’s Line, Feilding. “Leading Aircraftsman Mason ' was engaged in solo flying practice when the accident occurred. The aircraft, which was a Vincent trainer, burst into flames when it struck a shed, being completely wrecked. An ambulance was quickly on the scene of the accident, which took place about eight miles from the aerodrome.

“A Court of Inquiry is to be held tomorrow. The next-of-kin has been informed and condolences have been sent for the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones).” FIVE AIR FORCE CASUALTIES (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 21. The following Air Force casualties were officially announced today: Pilot Officer Ernest lan Parsons, D.F.C., missing in air operations. His mothex- is Mrs W. H. Parsons, of Timaru. Pilot Officer Herbert Gregory Ballantyne, killed in an aircraft accident. His mother is Mrs E. G. Ballantyne, of Hastings. Pilot Officer Cecil Henry Hight, killed in air operations. His father is Mr N. E. Hight, of Stratford.

Pilot Officer Athol, Gordon Mclntyre, injured in air operations. His father is Mr J. Mclntyre, of Palmerston North. Pilot Officer Mclntyre was also injured on June 3. Pilot Officer John Oscar Lloyd Stephenson, killed in an air accident. His mother is Mrs G. H. Stephenson, of New Plymouth. Pilot Officer Stephenson was reported dangerously ill as a result of an accident last November. YOUNG AIRMAN’S DEATH (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 21. Cabled advice that their son, acting Leading Aircraftsman Edward Culley, has been killed on war service as a result of a flying accident in Britain has been received by Mr and Mrs E. Culley, of Lower Hutt. Aircraftsman Culley, who was aged 18, left for England for service with the Fleet Air Arm on November 16 last year. He was educated at Scotts’ College and Wellington College. He was particularly prominent in swimming and Rugby football circles. He was a member of the Wellington College first fifteen for two seasons. KILLED IN ACTION (United Press Association) BLENHEIM, August 21. News has been received that Squadron Leader Terence Gunion Lovell Gregg, youngest son of Mrs Lovell Gregg and the late Dr Lovell Gregg, of Picton, has been killed in action. He was aged 26 years and qualified as a pilot nine years ago with the Marlborough Aero Club. Later, he proceeded to England, receiving a commission in the Royal Air Force. He was then the youngest pilot in New Zealand or Australia.

He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant when 21 and to Squadron Leader at the end of last year. Squadron Leader Gregg was educated at Nelson College, where he had a brilliant scholastic career. He intended entering Otago University to study for the medical profession, but was held back because of his youth and took up flying in the meantime.