TO TRAIN N.Z. PILOTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 November 1939, Page 4

TO TRAIN N.Z. PILOTS

FORMER MASTERTON RESIDENT. SQUADRON LEADER NICHOLL ARRIVES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 4. Two officers from the Royal Air Force have arrived at Auckland from England. They are Squadron Leader B. S. Nicholl, a New Zealander, who has been transferred to the Dominion for training New Zealand airmen, and Flying Officer C. A. Pope, seconded for two years’ duty in New Zealand as an engineer. The latter goes to Blenheim. Squadron Leader Nicholl was born in Christchurch and was at one time a journalist on- the “New Zealand Times” staff. Wellington, and later on the “Wairarapa Age,” Masterton. He went to England 10 years ago and joined the R.A.F. He has had wide experience as a pilot and instructor. Flying Officer Pope has been in the R.A.F. for 23 years. He served in the last war and has a high regard for New Zealand trainees.

Squadron Leader Nicholl said that a number of New Zealanders had passed through his hands in Shropshire, where there was one of the largest English flying schools. “New Zealand boys have a reputation for reliability and initiative,” he said. “Every commanding officer thinks a lot of New Zealand material. A number of them have already been over Germany and have acquitted themselves with great credit. Before I left a New Zealand lad asked me to tell his father that he had made good. I am glad to comply with this resquest.” Relatives of Squadron Leader Nicholl live in Masterton.