AIRMAN MISSING

Southland Times, Issue 24654, 28 January 1942, Page 4

AIRMAN MISSING

Flight-Lieutenant R. H. Strang

Advice has been received by Mr and Mrs R. M. Strang, Lewis street, that their son, Flight-Lieutenant Robert Harold Strang, officer commanding the New Zealand Fighter Squadron, has been reported missing on air operations. Flight-Lieutenant Strang, who went overseas in March 1940, is 23 years of age. He was educated at the Waihopai school and attended the Southland Boys’ High School for three years. He was a keen sportsman and was a good boxer and swimmer, while he also had success at cycle racing and golf. He was a member of the Invercargill Golf Club. - Before joining the Air Force Flight-Lieutenant Strang Was employed by David Strang Ltd., coffee merchants. Sergeant John Gilbert Finn, husband of Mrs J. G. Finn, Invercargill, has been killed on air operations in the Far East. Sergeant Finn attended the Southland Boys’ High School and was a member of the Rugby first fifteen. On leaving school he worked on the railway at Bluff, 1 and in 1939 he was a member of the Bluff senior football team.

At the monthly meeting of the Invercargill branch of the Railway Officers’ Institute on Monday night reference was made to Sergeant Finn’s death. At the time of his death he was 22 years of age. Sergeant L. G. Bailey, son of Mr A. Bailey, chairman of the Southland branch of the Railway Officers’ Institute, has been killed in the Middle East. At the meeting of the Invercargill branch-of the institute on Monday night members stood in silence as a mark of respect to Sergeant Bailey and Sergeant J. G. Finn, who has also been killed.

Mr and Mrs T. Small, Lumsden, have received advice that their son, LanceCorporal Lloyd Small, has been discharged from hospital. Lance-Corporal Small was wounded during the fighting at Tobruk.

Advice has been received by Mrs Sneyd that her son, Private Clifford Sneyd, is wounded and missing. Before enlisting Private Sneyd was on the staff of Ayres and Bain, builders. Mr and Mrs W. C. Ferguson, Nelson street, have received advice that their two sons, Gunner W. Ferguson and Private R. Ferguson, are safe and well. Private J. A. Cunningham, son of Mr H. Cunningham, Bluff,/is reported to be safe and well.

Mr and Mrs E. V. Gilchrist, Catherine street, have received advice that their son, Sergeant-Observer R. A. Gilchrist, has arrived in England.

CASUALTIES IN AIR FORCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 27. The following Air Force casualties were announced today (all being members of the R.N.Z.A.F.) :— AIRCRAFTMAN IVAN VICTOR STRACHAN ANDERSON, killed in action; mother, Mrs V. M. Anderson, Dannevirke. AIRCRAFTMAN RAYMOND STEWART ST. GEORGE, slightly wounded; father, Mr A. M, St. George, Hamilton. SERGEANT ARNOLD GEORGE BROWNE, killed In action; mother, Mrs E. Horne, Kalgoorlie. SERGEANT THOMAS WALTER IRVING, killed in action; mother, Mrs R. Irving, Napier. NAVAL LIST The following Naval casualties were also announced: — LIEUTENANT AXEL GOTTFRICH NILSSON. R.N.Z.N.R., died; daughter, Mrs Lily V. Leitch, Auckland. ABLE-SEAMAN ARTHUR STANLEY FISHER, R.N.Z.V.R., died after an operation; mother, Mrs Emily L, Fisher, Paramata.