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421811 Pilot Officer William Edward KEWLEY.
Mother: Mrs. I. Davie of Eketahuna.

William Kewley was born at Winnipeg, Canada on the 10th May, 1918. He received his secondary education at the Eketahuna District High School. He was employed in farming by Mr. C. Davie at Waiwaka, Eketahuna, at the time of applying for enlistment in aircrew on the 16th September, 1941.

Pilot Officer Kewley was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua, on the 7th March, 1942, and proceeded to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth, on the 1st May for his elementary flying training. On the 26th July he was posted to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Blenheim where he trained on Harvard aircraft. Here on the 19th October, 1942 he was awarded his flying badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 19th December, being further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 19th June, 1943, and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 23rd March 1944. Meanwhile on the 16th January, 1943, he had embarked for the United Kingdom.

Pilot Officer Kewley arrived at No. 12 R.N.Z.A.F. Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, Brighton, on the 29th March, 1943, and proceeded to No. 3 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit first at Lulsgate, Bottom on the 9th June and thence with the same unit at South Cerney, Gloucestershire, on 2nd August. He was posted to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott, and the Satellite airfield of Oakley, both in Gloucestershire, on the 24th August, where he crewed-up and completed his training as pilot of Wellington bomber aircraft. During February 1944 he converted to Stirling aircraft to No. 1653 Conversion Unit, Chedburgh, Suffolk, and during March to Lancaster bomber aircraft at No. 5 Lancaster Finishing School, Syerston, Nottinghamshire, after which he was posted on the 29th March to No. 44 (Rhodesian) Squadron located at Dunholme Lodge, Lincolnshire.

With this Squadron as pilot of Lancaster bomber aircraft he took part in six operational flights the targets including Aachen in Germany; Tours, Juisby near Paris, La Chafelle in France and sea mining in Danzig Bay.