No. 6 Squadron NZRAF
 
Flight Sergeant

RON WARD MBE

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 ?
Hobsonville RNZAF airbase.
!947/48