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42376 Flight Sergeant Jack Neville DARNEY
PARENTS Mr and Mrs J. E. Darney of NEW PLYMOUTH

Jack Darney was born at New Plymouth on the 27th
November, 1920, and received his secondary education at the New
Plymouth Boys' High School. The sports in which he was interested
included rugby, cricket, tennis and shooting. He played for his
School First XI. After leaving school and at the time of his making
application for aircrew training on the 26th August, 1940, he was
employed as a clerical cadet by the New Zealand Railways, Wellington.

Flight Sergeant Darney was enlisted at the
Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 10th January, 1942 and moved
with the Initial Training Wing to Rotorua on the 22nd February, 1942.
On the completion of his initial training he was posted on the 6th
March to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth for
his elementary flying training. He embarked on the 10th May for
Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Flight Sergeant Darney arrived at No 3 "M" Depot,
Edmonton, Alberta on the 6th June, 1942 and was posted on the
following day to No. 37 Service Flying Training School, Calgary,
Alberta, where, on the 25th September, he was awarded the flying
badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was promoted to
Flight Sergeant on the 1st June, 1943. Meanwhile, he was posted
on the 13th October, 1942 to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia,
for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Flight Sergeant Darney arrived at No. 3 Personnel
Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 5th November, 1942 and was
posted on the 28th December to No. 15 (Pilots') Advanced Flying Unit,
Ternhill, Shropshire and thence on the 2nd March, 1943 to No. 11
Operational Training Unit, Oakley, Buckinghamshire, where as second
pilot of Wellington bomber aircraft he flew on numerous training
flights. Late in May he proceeded to No. 1657 Conversion Unit,
Stradishall, Suffolk, where he converted to Stirling aircraft. On the
21st June, as second pilot of Stirling aircraft he took part in an