 Tohunga Richard Riwai |
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| 13th September 1918 ~ 21st February 1944 | |
| Enlisted: | 07/03/42 Rotorua Initial Training Wing, New Zealand |
| Commissioned: | 19/12/42 (NZ421764) |
| Trade: | Pilot |
| SUMMARY OF SERVICE HISTORY | |
| 02/05/42 3 Elementary Flying Training School (RNZAF Station Harewood | |
| 29/07/42 – No. 1 Service Flying Training School (RNZAF Station Wigram ) | |
| 19/10/42 – Pilot’s Wings awarded | |
| 19/12/42 – Granted Commission as Pilot Officer | |
| 10/01/43 – Attached to RAF & embarked for UK | |
| 18/03/43 – Arrived at 11 Personnel Dispersal and Reception Centre (Bournemouth, Dorset) | |
| 20/05/43 – 12 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit (RAF Grantham, Lincs) | |
| 03/08/43 – 60 OTU (RAF High Ercall, Shropshire) | |
| 24/08/43 – 63 OTU (RAF Honiley, Warks) | |
| 07/12/43 – Posted to 488(NZ) Squadron RAF (RAF Bradwell Bay, Essex) | |
| 21/02/44 – Killed in Action | |
| Interred at Brookwood Military Cemetery – 2.K.2, Woking, Surrey, England Son of Ripai & Pita Riwai of Rotorua (New Zealand) Husband of Katie Riwai (née Ratete) Father of 3 children |
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| Sources: Milana Milos (Granddaughter of Rick) & Errol Martin – “For Your Tomorrows” | |
Rick Riwai and his daughter, taken between 19th December and 10th January 1943
Photo © Milana Milos
Rick Riwai boarding an Airspeed Oxford (probably while with 1SFTS at RNZAF Station Wigram)
Photo © Milana Milos
Broody's war 
October 30th, 2014 at 10:34 am
Great idea to do this.
October 30th, 2014 at 10:36 am
Thanks Pierre – as you said a while ago, part of the joy of this blog is that relatives of 488 Squadron members have got in touch which makes these biographies possible. I hope to be able to get some more done as time goes on.
November 4th, 2014 at 3:28 am
Looking forward to your continuing posts Adam. I will dig out any information I have on file. Richards death was an absolute tragedy and should never have happened. They were scrambled shortly after returning from a tiring patrol. Members of his squadron actually went to his assistance through a live minefield in an attempt to get to the stricken crew. Says something for the respect they had for him.