478

RAF40877 FLYING OFFICER MICHAEL JOSEPH BERRY.
PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. T. Berry of Christchurch.
Michael Berry was born at Balclutha, on the 8th May, 1917.
He received his secondary education at Timaru Boys' High School.
and the Christchurch West District High School, and at this latter
institution passed the University Entrance Examination. He furthered
his studies by attending evening classes in commercial subjects at the
Christchurch Technical College. The sports in which he was actively
engaged included swimming, rowing, tennis, golf, rugby, angling, cricket
and was a member of his school's first XV. His civilian employment was
that of a clerical cadet in the New Zealand Railways and he was so
employed at Christchurch when applying on the 13th December, 1937 for
a short service commission in the Royal Air Force. On acceptance he
embarked on the "Rangitata" from Wellington early in April, 1938 for the
United Kingdom.
Michael Berry commenced his flying training at No. 4 Elementary
and Reserve Flying School, Brough, Yorkshire on the 16th May,
1938 with the acting rank of Pilot Officer and on the completion of this
course on the 7th July proceeded to No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge, Middlesex
for a short disciplinary course; thence on the 23rd of the month to No.
3 Flying Training School, South Cerney, Gloucestershire. At this latter
Unit on the 25th October he was awarded the flying badge and on the 16th
May, 1939 graded as a Pilot Officer. On the 3rd April he was posted
to the Central Flying School, Upavon, Wiltshire where he furthered his
training on Tutor, Hart, Fury and Oxford aircraft until posting on the
5th June to No. 5 Flying Training School, Sealand, Chester. Here he flew
as an instructor on Hart, Master and Oxford aircraft. On the outbreak
of war he was appointed to the acting rank of Flying Officer and continued
his instructional duties at Sealand and later at No. 2 Flying Training
School first at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire and later at Cranwell, Lincoln-
shire. On the 3rd September, 1940 he was confirmed in the rank of Flying
Officer.
On the 4th Oct. 1940, Flying Officer Berry was the pilot of an Oxford aircraft
engaged on a training flight from Cranwell which was involved in a mid
air collision, the occupants of both aircraft losing their lives.