George Leslie Davidson

 

 

RNZAF Official

George Leslie Davidson was born at Patea on the 12th May, 1915, and received his secondary education at the New Plymouth Boys High School. He was later a member of the Egmont Wanganui Hunt Club. Prior to his enlistment he was employed on his father's farm at Opaku, Patea. He applied for a Short Service Commission on the 1st April, 1937, but his application was unsuccessful. Shortly after the outbreak of war he applied for aircrew training. He was interested in flying and was a member of the Western Federated Flying Club, New Plymouth, and he logged over 100 hours flying time at the time of his enlistment in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Sgt. Davidson was enlisted on the 30th November, 1940, at the Ground Training School, Levin. On the 19th January, 1941, he commenced his flying training at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth. On the completion of his elementary flying training in New Zealand he embarked on the 27th March, 1941, on the "Morangi" for Canada to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Shortly after arrival in Canada Sgt. Davidson was posted to No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Dunnville, Ontario, where he was awarded his flying badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 3rd July, 1941. He was posted to No. 1 M Depot Debert on the 9th July for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Sgt. Davidson arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre Bournemouth, on the 16th August, 1941, and on the 21st of the same month was posted to No. 61 Operational Training Unit, Heston, Middlesex, for operational training in Spitfire, Miles Master aircraft. On the completion of the course early in October, 1941, he proceeded to No. 616 Squadron, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire. With the Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey and Kingscliffe, Northamptonshire, he carried out twenty-six operational flights, including convoy and offensive patrols and channel sweeps as a pilot on Spitfire aircraft.

On the 13th April, 1942, Sgt. Davidson was the pilot of a Spitfire aircraft which crashed near Peterborough, Northamptonshire, shortly after taking off from King's Cliffe, Sgt. Davidson losing his life. Sgt. Davidson was buried in the All Saints Churchyard, Wittering, Northamptonshire, with service honours.

298 hours as pilot.
109 hours as civilian.

Information provided courtesy of the RNZAF Personnel Archives.

The following extract is from the Squadron O.R.B.:

April 13. Twelve Yorkshire Press Photographers and reporters visited the Squadron... and gave the Squadron a marvellous 'write-up' in the press. Sgt G L DAVIDSON (RNZAF) very foolishly tried to 'show off' by rolling at one hundred feet and crashed to his death in a field adjoining the airfield. It was an awkward situation for the press to be there and all personnel were warned not to mention the accident.

The record book also reports that on 17 Oct 1941 Davidson taxied into another aircraft. He was uninjured but the aircraft were severely damaged. The accident is put down to "gross carelessness". The record also shows Davidson came to 616 on 6 Oct 1941 from 65 Sqn. Maybe he went there briefly after leaving 61 OTU.

 


 

© Copyright Ian Wedge, 2000

Last updated 18 February 2002