Victor Verity | |
|---|---|
 Verity, c. 1939–1945 | |
| Birth name | Victor Bosanquet Strachan Verity |
| Born | 5 November 1919 Timaru, New Zealand |
| Died | 2 February 1979 (aged 59) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Allegiance |
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| Service | |
| Years of service | 1938–1943 (RAF) 1943–1945 (RNZAF) |
| Rank | Squadron leader |
| Commands | No. 650 Squadron |
| Battles / wars |
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| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Victor Bosanquet Strachan Verity, DFC (5 November 1919 – 2 February 1979) was a New Zealand flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He is credited with the destruction of at least eight enemy aircraft.
Born in Timaru, Verity joined the RAF in 1938. After completing his flight training, he was posted to No. 229 Squadron where he flew a Hawker Hurricane. During the Battle of France, he was briefly transferred to No. 615 Squadron, claiming his first aerial victories with this unit, before returning to No. 229 Squadron. Further victories were claimed during the Battle of Britain but in October he switched to night-fighting duties, flying with No. 422 Flight and then No. 96 Squadron. Now flying the Boulton Paul Defiant, he and his gunner made a number of successful engagements in the spring and summer of 1941. He later flew in the Middle East and the Mediterranean before transferring to the Royal New Zealand Air Force and returning to England. He undertook instructing and staff duties in the final years of the war. Returning to civilian life after the end of hostilities, he initially farmed in New Zealand and then worked in the construction sector in England. His health declined in his later years and he died in Wellington, New Zealand, aged 59.