Ron
signed up with the RNZAF in July 1942.
He did his I.W.T. (Initial
Training Wing)
at Rotorua,
E.F.T.S. (Elementary
Flying Training School)
at Harewood
and solo'd on Tigers. Re-mustered to navigator,
posted to
training school in Canada, then joined No.6
Squadron,
operating out of Halavo Bay, Solomon Islands.
Photo
of Ron's crew.
Ron
crewed with Ed Hillary,
(later, Sir Edmund Hillary
of Mt.Everest fame),
and, as with most wartime crews,
formed a lasting bond and friendship.
On
discharge from the RNZAF in December 1945, Ron
entered the teaching profession.
He was a school Principal for 30 years, then
school inspector until retirement.
Membership with the 'Catalina Club' helped to
keep the only 'Cat' in NZ flying,
and was responsible for some of its visits to
Hawkes Bay.
MOVIE
CLIP
RON WARD 12mins.
HI
Since his
retirement, Ron has committed himself to
many roles of community service:
Chairman of Napier's Neighbourhood
Support, Napier Safety Trust,
Convenor of the Mountain Radio Service
and Patron of the
HB Royal Life-Saving Society, (the moral
being...'Get Involved And Keep Alive').
And
what did we do with all those great 'Cats' ?
Why have we had to chase artound the world for
another one ?
Photo
of Ron's crew.
