Flight Lieutenant Charles Roy Bush

Roy Bush, born in Wellington on 7 February 1918, was an insurance clerk when he applied to join the RAF. He left New Zealand in mid-June 1939 and in May 1940, at the conclusion of his flying training, having converted to Gladiators, was posted to 615 Squadron at Abbeville in northern France. He flew on aerodrome defence until the Squadron was withdrawn to England on May 21. A conversion course on Hurricanes followed before he joined 242 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 5 June.

Three days later the squadron flew to France to provide cover as units of the British Army retreated towards the French Atlantic ports. By the time they reached their final base at Nantes the unit's pilots were servicing and refuelling their own aircraft as ground staff were evacuated. After several days patrolling over St Nazaire, the Squadron was withdrawn on June 18 1940.  
 
Famous fighter pilot Douglas Bader took command of the much-depleted and demoralized squadron, reforming and reorganizing it to become operational again on 9 July. In the final weeks of the Battle of Britain Bush destroyed two enemy aircraft, probably another and damaged two more.  
 
In early December 1940 he joined 258 Squadron, made up of a majority of New Zealand pilots, with which he flew patrols over the North Sea and later from the Isle of Man before moving south in May 1941 to begin offensive sweeps over France. On 16 June a Bf 109 was listed as a probable for Bush.  
 
He left 258 to join 610 Squadron in July but a month later was posted to 41 Squadron as a flight commander. He shot down a Bf 109 on 22 August, shared an Hs 123 on 18 September and was awarded the DFC. After his operational tour ended Bush instructed in Scotland until March 1942 when he was ordered back to New Zealand for special duties.  
 
He arrived on 13 July 1942 and was posted to the newly-formed Operational Training Unit at Ohakea to pass on his combat experience. In October 1943 he joined 15 Squadron, going with it to New Georgia in December as a flight commander. After an operational tour Bush returned to New Zealand in mid-February 1944 to be given command of 21 Squadron, then about to be formed at Ardmore. After training on Harvards and Kittyhawks, Bush and his pilots flew to Santo on 19 June in a transport aircraft and picked up their Corsairs next day. After a period of familiarization 21 Squadron became operational on July 16 1944 and for the next two months carried out bombing attacks and strikes against Japanese targets.  
 
Bush returned to Whenuapai for a rest on 20 September, then rejoined 21 Squadron on Guadalcanal on 19 November and leading it until February 1945. He subsequently instructed at the Fighter Leaders' School at Ardmore before returning to Britain in early July.  
 
On 15 September 1945 Bush was one of twelve pilots led by Douglas Bader in the first Battle of Britain flypast over London. He returned home in November 1946 and was given command of the General Purposes Communications Flight at Ohakea.  
 
On 30 November 1948, Bush carried out a photographic reconnaissance in the Gisborne area. After landing briefly at Napier his aircraft departed for Ohakea. When the Oxford failed to arrive a search was made and the wrecked aircraft was found in the Ruahines. It is believed to have broken up in the air with fatal results for Roy Bush and his crew of two.