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36268: Pilot Officer William David FINLAYSON.
MOTHER: Mrs. I.N. Finlayson of Cromwell.

William Finlayson was born at Dunedin on the 17th January, 1915,
and received his secondary education at Otago Boys' High School. His
interests in sport included rugby, cricket, athletics, tennis, badminton,
shooting and mountaineering. On leaving school he joined th firm of
Coulls, Somerville, and Wilkie Ltd., of Dunedin, with whom he remained
until his enlistment in the Air Force. He applied for enrolment in the
Civil Reserve of Pilots on the 22nd February, 1938, and was enrolled on
the 17th June, obtaining his "A" Licence on the 16th September. On the
26th March, 1939, he applied for a Short Service Commission in the R.A.F.,
and was provisionally accepted on the 12th July. On the outbreak of war,
however, his Short Service Commission scheme ceased, and he was made the
alternative offer of a commission in the R.A.F.V.R. for service with the
Regular Force for the duration of the war, which he accepted. He was
enlisted at the Ground Training School, Rongotai, on the 20th September
1939 and on the 24th October proceeded to No. 1 Flying Training School,
Wigram, where he commenced his flying training. He sailed for the
United Kingdom late in February 1940.

On arrival in England, Pilot Officer Finlayson was posted to
No.1 R.A.F. Depot, Uxbridge, later on the 30th April proceeding to No.1
Fighter Pilots' Unit, Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, where he converted to Fairey
Battle aircraft.

Pilot Officer Finlayson was the pilot of a Battle aircraft
engaged on a Cross Country training flight on the 24th May 1940, and
which crashed between Exeter and Lyme Regis, Pilot Officer Finlayson
losing his life. He was buried in the Devenport and Stonehaven Cemetery,
Plymouth.

18/1/1396 AS2.
200 hours as pilot.

Mrs. I.M. Finlayson
C/- Mr. W. Y ung
Long Gully
P.B. Cromwell.