KILLED IN AIR OPERATIONS

Southland Times, Issue 24244, 30 September 1940, Page 4

KILLED IN AIR OPERATIONS

East Chatton Man’s Death MEMBER OF FIGHTER SQUADRON Advice was received by cablegram yesterday morning from the British Air Ministry by Mr S. B. Paterson, of East Chatton, that his eldest son, Acting Flight Lieutenant James Alfred Paterson, was reported to have lost his life as a result of air operations. The cable stated that the Air Council expressed profound sympathy. Acting Flight Lieutenant Paterson, who would have been 21 years of age next month, joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in July 1938, being first stationed at Taieri. He was later transferred to Wigram where he gained his wings, and in March 1939 he left for England to join the Royal Air Force. He was posted to a bomber squadron, and remained with this squadron until the outbreak of war when he was appointed officer commanding two servicing flights in France. He remained with those flights until after the capitulation of the French, and on his return to England he applied for and was appointed to a Spitfire fighter squadron.

Acting Flight Lieutenant Paterson was educated at the East Chatton school and the Gore High School. He showed more than average ability in his school work and matriculated at the latter school, He had a happy-go-lucky nature and was a popular pupil. He showed a keenness for sport while at high school and was a member of the school first fifteen, playing in the forwards. POSTED AS MISSING SERGEANT A. F. BLATCH Sergeant Alfred Frederick Blatch, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, formerly of Mossbum, has been posted as missing as a result of air. operations. Sergeant Blatch, who was bom at Lynwood Station, Mossburn, is 26 years of age and is the son of the late Mr H. F. Blatch. After being privately educated for some years he went to the Waitaki Boys’ High School and was later in partnership with his brother, Mr J. H. A. Blatch, managing the Lynwood Station. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force and went overseas as an air gunner last April. PILOT OFFICER KILLED

' (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 29. The following casualties are officially announced; — Sergeant John Stephen Lane, Royal New Zealand Air Force, seriously injured in a flying accident and admitted to hospital. His wife is Mrs K. S. Lane, 45 Hohinea road, Hataitai, Wellington. Pilot Officer Eric Orgias, killed in air operations. His father is Mr A. E. Orgias, Pohangina, Palmerston North. N.Z. AIRMAN INTERNED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 28. It is officially announced that Leading Airman Bruce Rennie Laing has been interned in Sweden. His mother is Mrs Martha Laing, Auckland.