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NZ427077 Flight Lieutenant Donald Cross FINLAYSON
Mother Mrs. M.C. Finlayson of Darfield, Canterbury.

Donald Finlayson was born at Hamilton on the 19th
November 1923. He received his secondary education at the Christchurch Boys'
High School, passing the Matriculation examination, and gaining a higher
leaving certificate. His sports were football, tennis, swimming and
hiking. He was attending the Teachers Training College, Christchurch
at the time of applying for enlistment in aircrew, on the 8th May 1942.

Flight Lieutenant Finlayson was enlisted from No 6
Squadron, Air Training Corps, Christchurch, at Taieri, on the 11th July
1942, and posted to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorus, on the 24th
November, afterwards embarking for Canada, on the 12th February 1943,
for training under the Empire Training Scheme.

Flight Lieutenant Finlayson arrived at No 2 "M" Depot
Brandon, Manitoba, on the 2nd March, and proceeded a few days later to
No 5 Air Observers School, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Here on the 23rd July
1943, he was awarded the Air Navigator's Badge and commissioned in the
rank of Pilot Officer. Later, while in the United Kingdom and the Far
East he was promoted to Flying Officer and Flight Lieutenant respectively
on the 23rd January 1944, and the 23rd July 1945. Meanwile on the 4th
August 1943, he had proceeded to No 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia,
for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Flight Lieutenant Finlayson arrived at No 12 Royal
New Zealand Air Force, Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton, on the 2nd
September, and was posted to No 4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit,
West Freugh, Scotland on the 19th October for his advanced navigational
training; thence to No 11Operational Training unit, WestscOtt,
Buckinghamshire, on the 28th December. Here,and at the satellite Air-
field of Oakley, Alsom also in, Buckinghamshire, he crewed up and completed
his training as navigator of Wellington bomber aircraft, before proceed-
ing in the 28th May 1944, to No 5 Personnel, Despatch Center, Blackpool,
to await embarkation to the United Kingdom India.