Serial Number: NZ401753
RNZAF Trade: Pilot, then Observer
Date of Enlistment: 1940
Rank Achieved: Pilot Officer
Flying Hours: 215hrs (203 hours as Navigator, 12.05 hrs as pilot)
Operational Sorties: 2 ops

Date of Birth:
Personal Details: Son of Daniel Joseph and Nora Theresa Clifford; husband of Jean Margaret Clifford, of Cambridge, Daniel was educated at Sacred Heart College in Auckland where he played rugby for the First XV team.

Service Details: It seems Daniel may have began training initially as a pilot, but for some reason remustered to become an Observer. I conclude this because it is recorded that he had 12.05 hours as a pilot.

Daniel left New Zealand at the end of 1940 for Canada, where he trained at No. 4 Air Observer School, London, Ontario. He then completed a course at the Advanced Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.

On passing this course he embarked for the UK at Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 18th of June 1941. Upon arrival in England, Daniel spent a short time at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth.

It was not long before Daniel was posted to No. 27 Operational Training Unit at Lichfield in Staffordshire where he completed his training on Vickers Wellingtons.

He then joined a bomber squadron, No. 142 Squadron at Binbrook, Lincolnshire on the 25th of October 1941.