I often think of my dad, at random times as little things remind me of him, but Anzac Day is one day when he is always on my mind.

When war broke out he was determined to join the airforce and become a fighter pilot. Eventhough he was underage, failed a couple of eye tests, and couldn’t reach the rudders in the plane without a cushion, he wasn’t going to let any of that upset his plan. So, in 1941, after training at Taieri, and being selected as an exceptional pilot, he was off to Canada for advanced training, and to start the adventure he had planned. And what an adventure that was, although he never talked about the tough times, of which there were many!! He is one of only 1032 NZ Airmen awarded the DFC for service in WWII.

This is his photo on the front of a book which he wrote in the 3 months before he died. All his family treasure his recorded memories of life as a child in small town NZ, war service, happy and loving marriage, success in business, and we especially treasure our own memories of him being a wonderful dad.