This is a specially produced original portrait pencil drawing Bookplate by Steve Teasdale. It features the genuine signature of New Zealand Battle of Britain Pilot John Pattison. John flew with Geoff Wellum, Tony Bartley, Brian Kingcombe and others from that famous Squadron. The bookplate would fit really well in Geoff Wellum’s book First Light or other books by the pilots mentioned. John Pattison’s signature is difficult to obtain in the UK as he went straight back to NZ after the war we believe.
Born in Waipawa, New Zealand, Pattison joined the RNZAF on the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. After completing flight training he was sent to the United Kingdom to serve with the Royal Air Force. He flew Supermarine Spitfires with Nos. 266 and 92 Squadrons during the Battle of Britain and later flew with No. 485 (NZ) Squadron. After a period of service on instructing duties from mid-1943 to mid-1944, he flew with No. 66 Squadron before being appointed commander of No. 485 (NZ) Squadron. He led the unit, part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, on operations in France, Belgium and Holland from September 1944 to February 1945 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his service during this time