HEROIC AIRMAN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21184, 6 August 1940, Page 2

HEROIC AIRMAN

NEW ZEALAND PILOT GIVES LIFE FOR HIS CREW (From a Correspondent) LONDON, June 21 A decision to head his aeroplane for open country rather than crash in a residential district cost Flight Lieutenant C. A. Washer, formerly of New Plymouth, his life. When the aircraft got into difficulties, the New Zealander told his crew to jump by parachute. By the time open country was reached it was too late for him to follow. Many tributes. have been paid to him at Southampton, where he was well known. A memorial service was held at Almondsbury. Flight Lieutenant Washer, who was 29 years old, joined the Royal Air Force about 10 years ago and served in England and Malta for about four years, retiring with the rank of flight lieutenant. He then joined the Bristol Aeroplane Company, Limited, and for three years was an instructor at the Bristol Flying School, later becoming one of the company’s test pilots. The Western Daily Press said: “As an exponent of flying technique, he was a brilliant pilot, and his work i had attracted attention among expert flyer* m Britain and abroad."