Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

Frank Featherstone Wright 1921-2014

Born: Invercargill 2 June 1921.  The only child of Frank Edward Wright and

Minnie Norma Palgrave Featherstone.

Educated:  Invercargill Middle School (primary) and Southland Boys’ High School.

1937:  The family moved to Wellington

1938:   Employed as Junior Copywriter in Advertising Agency.

1940:   Conscripted into the Army as a Gunner on coastal defence artillery at

            Wellington Harbour Heads.

1941:   Volunteered for Royal New Zealand Air Force.

1942:   Entered RNZAF for training as a pilot.  Primary training on D.H.82 “Tiger

           Moth” at Taieri.

1943:   Advanced training on Harvard aircraft at Woodbourne.  Presented with

            Pilot’s Wings in April.   Sailed to UK from Napier.

            As Sergeant Pilot, was trained in England on Miles Master MKI and MKII

            at Wrexham, North Wales, as a fighter pilot.

            November, selected by Royal Air Force as Instructor; trained at 2 FIS

            Montrose, Scotland.

1944:   RAF multi-engine aircraft flying instructor at Shawbury, near Shrewsbury;

           Taten Hill, near Burton-on-Trent; South Cerney; near Cirencester.

1945:   December returned to New Zealand by ship.

1946 – 1949:   Trained by father as a signwriter. 

1946:    Married Doreen Patricia Hilton.  Son, Paul Hilton Wright born

            November 16^th  1947

1949:    Joined the RNZAF Active Reserve of Flying Instructors and attended

            annual refresher courses until discharged in 1957 with rank of Flight

            Lieutenant.

1950 – 1969: served as flying instructor/charter pilot at Wellington Aero Club,

            Auckland Aero Club and Rotorua Aero Club.  In this period was instructor

            based at Auckland Airport for Airline Flying Club, established by Air New

            Zealand employees.

1957:   Daughter, Alicia Joy was born July 16^th.

1958 – 1967:  I was a Department of Civil Aviation Flight Testing Officer,

            examining for issue of Private and Commercial Pilot Licences and the issue

            and renewal of Instructor Ratings.

1969 – 1971:  Appointed as Advisor to the Thai Government. Pilot Training for

            introduction of T6/24 New Zealand built training aircraft at Hua Hin in

            Thailand.  I was invited (with N.Z government approval) as Flying

            Instructor.

1971:   Wife died.

           Employed as instructor in Wanganui training Bangladeshi students to gain

           Commercial Pilot’s Licence and carry out crop-spraying on FU24 Fletcher

           Aircraft, built in New Zealand.

1974:  Married Dora Ann Heath-Caldwell (nee Jones)

1974 – 1976:   Established a Pilot Training School in Dacca, Bangladesh to train 

           pilots for the Commercial Pilot Licence and crop spraying.

1976:  Back in New Zealand, established a Pilot Training School for National

          Airways Corporation at Christchurch.  Trained two courses of Indonesian

          Pilots until it was disbanded by Air New Zealand in 1980.

1980 –1982:  Charter Pilot/Instructor at Aero Work, Wanganui.

1982:   Retired.

Total flying hours:  9,800

Retirement hobby:  Sign-writing and art calligraphy.

This record is prepared from memory in February 2014 at the age of 92 by me,

Frank Wright.

1927

August 1927

WEDDINGS

Ronald – Wright

A wedding of local interest took place at the First Church, Tay Street, Invercargill, on 10^th August, when Ruby Irene, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs E.W. Wright of 106 Yarrow Street, Invercargill, was married to Mr Archibald Ronald, also of Invercargill.

The Rev. Robinson officiated.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a model frock of French ande crepe-de-chene with shoes and hat to tone.

Miss Mabel Wright attended her sister as bridesmaid wearing a frock of maike tress-de-chene with shoes and stockings to tone.

Miss Margery Henderson, of Gore, niece of the bride, acted as flower girl. Her frock was a shell pink georgette over crepe-de-chene. She wore shoes and a satin cape of the same shade.

The breakfast was held at the Floral Tea Rooms, the bride’s mother and Mrs C. Robertson, sister of the bridegroom, receiving the guests.

The church was prettily decorated by Mrs Frank Wright, sister-in-law of the bride.

Mrs N.J. Brokenshire presided at the organ.

Mr and Mrs Ronald left for their honeymoon in Christchurch, the bride travelling in a beige frock, amethyst coat and hat to tone.

Prior to her marriage the bride was entertained by a number of her girl friends at a bath room shower, kitchen evenings, pantry evening and a work basket afternoon.

1929

McCARTNEY

At her residence, Elsie Street, Gore, on Saturday, September 28^th, 1929, Helena Kirke, beloved wife of Robert McCartney; aged 42 years. Deeply mourned.

1931

IN MEMORIAM

RONALD – In loving memory of Ruby Irene, beloved wife of A. Ronald, and eldest daughter of E.W. and J.O. Wright, who passed away at Wyndham on 26^th March 1931. “So loved – so mourned.” – Inserted by her loving husband, parents and family 733.

1933

MARTIN

On April 23, 1933, at ‘Hehnsdale,” Cashmere, Christchurch, Hazel Helen Alexandra, dearly-loved and only child of Hans Alexander and Katherine I. B. Martin; aged 27 years.

We regret to announce today the death today of Miss Hazel H.A. Martin, which took place at her parents’ residence, Christchurch, early on Sunday morning. The deceased was the only child of Mr and Mrs Hans A. Martin, of Christchurch, and formerly of Gore. The late Miss Martin was born at Gore, and educated at the Gore Public School and the Christchurch Technical College. She was of a cheerful and kindly disposition and made many friends. Her old schoolmates at Gore will regret to hear of her passing away at such an early age. She had been in ill-health for some years, and her death was not unexpected. Much sympathy is being extended to her sorrowing parents and relatives.

1935

Deaths

FEATHERSTONE – At Invercargill, on Wednesday, July 4^th 1935, Arthur Eversfield, dearly loved husband of the late Ella Featherstone; inhis 68^th year. Deeply mourned. The funeral will leave his late residence. 191 Esk Street, on Saturday the 6^th inst., at 2.25pm., for service in the First Presbyterian Church at 2.30pm., afterwards proceeding to St. John’s Cemetery. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation. Cowley & Co Undertakers. 3464

Late Mr A.E. Featherstone

The inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of

Arthur Eversfield Featherstone, aged 67, whose body was found in the Waihopai River at Thomson’s Bush, was concluded last evening before the Coroner, Mr W.H. Freeman, S.M. Sergeant J. Abel conducted the inquiry while Mr B. W. Hawat appeared for the relatives.

Frank Edward Wright, son-in-law of deceased, said deceased had a very weak heart and was practically blind. He had been attended by a doctor in Wellington during the last year, and had had two operations. When the weather was fine deceased always went for long walks,. Witness did not consider it was safe for him to be alone.

Evidence regarding the finding of the body on July 4^th was given by Hugh McLachlan, a clerk.

Constable Thomas Kennedy said that on July 4^th he removed the body of the deceased to the morgue. He examined the body, and did not find any marks of violence. In his opinion death was due to drowning.

Evidence was also given by Ethel Turner, a nurse of Palmeston South.

The Coroner returned a verdict that the cause of death was drowning, and said that there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water.

DEATH

HARGEST – On August 19, 1935, at her residence, Esme Street, Gore, Mary, beloved wife of the late James Hargest, aged 79 years.