Francis Victor Beamish was born in Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland, on 27th September, 1903, - three of his brothers served in the RAF and also attained high-ranking positions.
Fred Chandler was the eldest son of Edward and Evelyn Chandler and grew up in Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand.
On the afternoon of Thursday 26 March 1942 485 Sqn (RNZAF) flew on Ramrod 17 from Kenley to Tangmere to escort a bombing raid to Le Havre. The Squadron’s Operations Record Book described the operation as a success but on the return leg they encountered enemy aircraft.
From Invercargill, he learned to fly privately with Southland Aero Club pre-war, joining the RNZAF in 1939, arriving in Britain with 11 other Kiwis the following year - seven would killed in action, and two more captured.
