Davies, Ian

Ian Wynn Davies was born in New Plymouth on 18 June 1916. He attended New Plymouth Boy's High School for 11 years as he was enrolled in both the prep school and the upper school. On leaving school he trained as an optician, following in the footsteps of his optician father, E B Davies.

He joined the Air Force in November 1940 and after training at Levin and Ōhakea he sailed for England in June 1941. He was posted to several squadrons, including No 104 Squadron in Driffield, Yorkshire and No 158 Squadron where he flew on many Wellington bomber missions over Germany and France.

On 9 May 1942 he was killed in action during a raid over the city of Rostock. His body was recovered and was buried in the Berlin Cemetery. He was 25 years old. His brother Evan Bertram Davies also flew with the RNZAF during World War Two and was also killed in action two years later on 20 August 1944.

Books

Lest we Forget, a tribute by New Plymouth Boy's High School, New Plymouth, to the 227 men of the School who died while serving their Country during the Second World War, 1939-1945, by Jack West, TRCT940.5467 WES