BRANNIGAN, Stewart Gordon
- 23 years
- New Zealand
- Pilot Officer
- 404885
- Spitfire, EP128
- 11th August 1942
- Allied Aircrew Memorial, Guernsey
After leaving school he was a member of the Kiwi Hockey Club, Masterton and also the Masterton Athletic Club. At the date of his entry into the Air Force he was employed by J.R. McKenzies Ltd., Masterton as a shop assistant. In 1936 he applied for enlistment in the permanent Air Force, but his application was deferred. On Arrival on May 16, 1941, he was posted to No. 32 Service Flying Training School, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, for further flying training on Harvard aircraft. He was awarded his flying badge and promoted to Sergeant on 26th September, 1941. He was later posthumously granted commission in the rank of Pilot Officer with effect from the same date. In October, 1941, P/O Brannigan proceeded to the United Kingdom, arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on 11th October. On 12th November, 1941 he was posted to No. 61 Operational Training Unit, Heston, Middlesex, for operational training on Spitfire aircraft. On November 18, his aircraft crashed on landing, but he was uninjured. On February 1st, 1942, he was moved to Fairwood Common, South Wales, and on March 10 he was attached to No. 286 Squadron at Colerne. He flew Magister, Defiant, Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft on Army co-operation and other duties until on April 18 when he was detached to Exeter, Devonshire. On the 29th April he returned to No. 263 Squadron at Angle, South Wales. He was posted to No. 118 Squadron on 6th May, 1942 at Ibsley, Hampshire. For the next month he was engaged on formation flaying and combat training until on 12th June, 1942 he was posted to No. 501 Squadron, Ibsley. For the next two months he was engaged on convoy and defensive patrols. On July 31 he acted as escort to Boston bombers in raids on the docks at St. Malo in France.