David Alexander Rankin

Pilot Officer [Pilot]

Conflict:

WW2

Additional Information:

Son of David and Alice Ann Rankin, of Wellington City, New Zealand.

References:

Martyn (2008)

NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

Born Wellington, 23/11/1914. Son of David and Alice Ann Rankin (nee McKee). Attended Rongotai College (played for 1^st XV) and later worked as a cashier in the Public Trust Office, Hastings. Served in the NZ Army/Territorial Force and was selected for a RAF Short Service Commission in 1937. Embarked for the United Kingdom 3/02/1939. On arrival transferred to 1 Depot and then 115 Squadron. Killed on air operations over Norway 11/04/1040. (Martyn (2008) p404).

David Rankin probably appears in a photograph (Wheeler (2010) p34) with two other pilots (pilots in hand-tailored lambskin flying gear). Taken at Wigram in 1937 the three in the photograph are Dave Rankin, Les Ransom and Jim Dermody. There is an element of doubt as the caption states Dave Rankin was “killed 1940, over France”.

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Casualty

Service Number:

36180

Name:

David Alexander Rankin

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Additional Rank:

Pilot

Date of Birth:

23 November 1914

Place of Birth:

Wellington,

Education:

Rongotai College

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Occupation on Enlistment:

Cashier

Employer:

Public Trust Office, Hastings

Armed Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Air Force, 115 Squadron

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Not known

Date of Death:

12 April 1940

Day of Death:

Friday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW2

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

Royal Air Force (RAF)

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Stavanger (Eiganes) Churchyard

Cemetery Reference:

Z. 43.

Cemetery Location:

Norway