Stanley Kavanagh was born in Oamaru and went to the Christian Brothers school in Dunedin. He was working as an agent for an insurance company when he enlisted in the Air Force in November, 1939.
He trained in New Zealand for a year before further training in Canada. There he went to the No. 2 Wireless School, then the No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School. After receiving his badge, he arrived in the UK in July, 1941. In January, 1942, he was posted to No. 75 Squadron and flew 11 operations with them.
On the night of 29/30 May, Stanley Kavanagh took off in a Short Stirling four-engined bomber to attack Wuppertal in Germany. The plane did not return. Stanley and his crew were posted as "missing" until information arrived through the International Red Cross that his plane had crashed in Germany and the crew were buried in a local cemetery.
My acknowledgements to the RNZAF Biographies of Deceased Personnel (1939-1945) for the above information.
In Memoriam
KAVANAGH. — In loving memory of Flight Sergeant Stanley Leo, youngest son of Mr and Mrs E. F. Kavanagh, killed in action, May 30, 1943. R.I.P. -Otago Daily Times, 30/5/1944.
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