Middleton, May Catherine Biography 1991

MIDDLETON, May Catherine
Member of the Order of the British Empire 1948
Retired Royal New Zealand Air Force Officer
Born Wellington, 30 December 1904, daughter of Thomas Norris and Lily Catherine (née Motley)
Married  William Athol Middleton, 1930
Educated: Newtown Primary School, Wellington; Wellington Girls’ College
Biological Laboratory, Public Service, 1920-30
Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1941-58 ( Flight Officer; first woman to join any branch New Zealand armed services; awarded MBE for work as Cypher Officer, Second World War);  Airport Control Service, Department of Civil Aviation (Wellington Airport control tower), 1950-71 (retired)
Captain, Girl Guides many years, Red Cross duty after Napier Earthquake, 1931; Member Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, President, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force Association 5 years; Victoria League entertainer, military camps, Second World War
Recreations: all sports, travel, sewing, handcrafts
Address: 27 Ira Street, Miramar, Wellington