REPORTED MISSING

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 7, 14 June 1940, Page 4

REPORTED MISSING

Pilot Officer R. W. Rootes, Of Wellington ’ Pilot Officer Reginald Williaffi Rootes, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Rootes. Rongotai, Wellington, is missing and ibelieved to have lost his life diving air operations, according lo a 'cable gram received recently by his parents. Pilot Officer Rootes, who is 20 years of age, was educated at Rongotai College. He was very keenly interested in -aviation, and before joining the ground staff of the Wellington Aero Club used to spend all his spare time at the aerodrome. He was two years on the ground staff, and then was appointed to a short-service commission in the Royal Air Force. H e began training at Rongotai Aerodrome under Flight Lieutenant I. E. Rawnsley, and was then transferred to Wigram Aero | drome. In July last year he left for England. He' was well known and .very popular in aviation circles in New Zealand. He only recently completed a navigation course in England and had, just been transferred to flying bomb ers. It is a coincidence that his father, who is control officer at ib.ngotai Aerodrome, was in the Royal Air Force in the last war. H e was a mem her of the Old Contemptibles, but to I ward the end of the war he was ap pointed an observer in the Air Force . ' — It was officially reported recently that Pilot Officer lan Geoffrey Wynne I Potts is missing from air operations oil | June 1. His mother is Mrs. G Wynne Potts, Taupo. .

N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES The following casualties in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force are officially announced :— Sergeant Maxwell Douglas Petersen. First New Zealand General Hospital missing, believed - drowned. His wife is Mrs. G. Petersen, Roseneath. Wei' lington. Private Norman Spence Traynor, 22nd Rifle Battalion, died from concns sion of brain due to injuries accidentally received during leave. Next of kin not given. '