The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. T W Oaks

Trevor Walter Oaks was born in Gisborne on 17th October 1915 and received his secondary education at Wellington Technical College. He then went to work for a motor company.

He volunteered for aircrew duties in early October 1939, was enlisted on 24th October and began training as an air gunner. In March 1940 he remustered as an Airman u/t Observer.

Oaks carried out his navigation training at the Air Observers School, Ohakea and was awarded his observer badge and promoted to Sergeant on 28th May. He sailed for the UK on 7th June in the RMS Rangitata.

He arrived in the UK and on 21st July 1940 he was sent to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge to await a posting. On 30th July Oaks was posted to 17 OTU Upwood and after converting to Blenheims joined 106 Squadron at Finningley on 3rd October.

On the 12th he moved to 235 Squadron at Bircham Newton.

Oaks went to 69 Squadron in Malta on 5th May 1941 for general reconnaissance duties over the Mediterranean. He was posted to the Sea Rescue Flight, Middle East on 1st December, operating from Benghazi and later Alexandria.

He went to 294 Squadron on 24th September 1943 on ASR duties and on 8th November he was posted to 76 OTU Aquir, Palestine to instruct.

Commissioned in April 1944, he returned to New Zealand in November and was released from the RNZAF on 6th February 1945 as a Flying Officer.

He died on 18th July 1971.