THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

CURRIE William Alexander Kennett

NZ48695 & M72760, Squadron Leader, Royal New Zealand Air Force

CITATION

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) [military div]

Queen's Birthday Honours List 1989

Squadron Leader Currie joined the RNZAF in 1948 as and airframe mechanic and soone demonstrated the commitment and skill which were to be

the hallmarks of his engineering career.  His value and dedication to the service were recognised in 1962 with the award of the British Empire Medal

when in the rank of Sergeant.  Following a commissioning course in 1970 he was posted to RNZAF Base Woodbourne where he served in all

positions of responsibility in the technical units of that base, culminating in the command of No 4TTS.  In early 1980, when the concept of the RNZAF

Museum was approved, Squadron Leader Currie was entrusted with the establishment of an aircraft restoration flight at RNZAF Base Wigram.  Later

in 1984, he was formally appointed as Technical Officer, RNZAF Museum.  He unstintingly, and at considerable personal sacrifice, set up a team of

personnel who completed the restoration, replication and refurbishment of vintage aircraft to display standard.  Throughout his long career of forty

years, Squadron Leader Currie has provided an exceptionally high standard of technical and administrative work.  In training and in command, his

leadership has been exemplary, none more so than in the twelve months immediately before the opening of the Museum.  Beside leading and

motivating his team, he gave unselfiishly of his own time in personal work on the task at hand.  His drive, enthusiasm and leadership were

instrumental in the timely preparation of the many quality exhibits for display.  Squadron Leader Currie's dedicated performance in the restoration,

replication and refurbishment of vintage aircraft for display at the RNZAF Museum has been exceptional.

British Empire Medal

Queen's Birthday Honours List 1962

[The citation is not available, but in the period preceeding this award Sergeant Currie served at Whenuapai with 41 Squadron in Singapore, his outstanding technical service being recognised by the award of the BEM]

KNOWN AWARDS

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) [military div]

British Empire Medal

New Zealand Armed Forces Award and bar

New Zealand Defence Service Medal

Regular

NOTES

Born 30 July 1929, Te Kuiti, New Zealand

Died 16 May 2017, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Funeral held at the Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street, Mitchell,  ACT