Flying officer Hector Hugh Crawford was born in Hawera on 25 August 1916, the son of William and Mabel Crawford. He attended New Plymouth Boys High School for four years. After leaving school to work as a clerk he began private flying lessons at Bell Block.
He enlisted with the RNZAF in 1939 and sailed to the United Kingdom where he was posted to various RAF squadrons including 235, 143, 252 and 272 Squadron . He was flying with 272 Squadron in Egypt in 1941 when he was shot down and captured by German soldiers. He later managed to escape into the desert and was rescued by Bedouin tribespeople. He re-joined his squadron several weeks later.
On 6 February 1942 he was killed attempting to land his plane after being hit by flak. He is buried in the Benghazi War Cemetery, Libya. He was 25 years old.
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
Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
