31

JC/NF
416419: Pilot Officer Ronald Gordon COLLENDER.
MOTHER: Mrs. H. O. Hobbs of Wellington (Re-Married)

Born at Christchurch on the 9th September, 1923,
Ronald Collender received his education at Waltham School and
the School of Art, Christchurch. He furthered his education
in evening classes at Christchurch Technical College. The sports
in which he was actively interested included rugby and soccer.
At the time of his making application for aircrew training - on
the 22nd January, 1941, - he was employed as a motor body builder
by Auto Body Builders, Christchurch. Prior to his enlistment
he served for approximately 16 months in the Territorials.

P/O Collender entered camp in November, 1941, reporting
at Levin. On the 8th January, 1942, he embarked for Canada for
further training under the Empire Air Training Scheme. In Canada
he trained at No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba and No. 2
Bombing and Gunnery School, Mossbank, Saskatchewan. At the latter
school he was awarded his air gunner's badge and promoted to the
rank of Sergeant on thr 31st August 1942. Early in June, 1943,
he was promoted to Flight Sergeant and a year later to Warrant
Officer. On the 12th September, 1944, he was commissioned in
the rank of Pilot Officer. From the 14th September, 1942, to the
11th of the following month he was stationed at Burch,
after which he proceeded to No. 34 Operational Training Unit,
Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick. At Pennfield Ridge, and later with
a detachment at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, he trained on Ventura aircraft.

On the 10th March, 1943, P/O Collender embarked for
the United Kingdom, arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Center,
Bournemouth, a week later. Towards the end of May he proceeded
to No. 487 Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk, where he carried out air
exercises as a wireless operator air gunner on Ventura aircraft.