DOMINION AIRMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 8

DOMINION AIRMEN

“MAKE GOOD” IN BRITAIN OFFICERS FROM ENGLAND ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND Saturday Two officers of the Royal Air Force have arrived in Auckland from England, namely SquadronLeader B. S. Nicholl, a New Zealander, who has been transferred to the Dominion for training New Zealand airmen, and Flying-Officer C. A. Pope, who is seconded for two years’ duty in New Zealand as an engineer. The latter will go to Blenheim. Squadron-Leader Nicholl was bom in Christchurch. He previously was a reporter on the New Zealand Times staff in Wellington, and went to England ten years ago. After a six-months’ wait he joined the Royal Air Force. He has wide experience as a pilot and instructor. Flying-Officer Pope has been 23 years in the Royal Air Force. He served in the last war, and has a high regard for New Zealand trainees. Squadron-Leader Nicholl said a number of New Zealanders have passed through his hands in Shropshire, where there is 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 already have been over Germany and acquitted themselves with great credit. Before I left a New Zealand lad asked me to tell his father he had ‘made good.’ I am glad to comply with that request.**