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W/O George James Roney was killed in action a near Schoondijke Holland on 6 October 1944. He was part of Unit 84 who gave air support to the clearing of the Scheldt estuary in the liberation of the Welcheren October - November 1944. His body and plane (Spitfire 1X 5R.W) were recovered on 9th June 1948 somewhere between Schoondijke and Steenhoven and his body buried in grave in Schoondijke cemetery 12th June 1948. A nephew Robert John Roney of Greymouth New Zealand is in possession of his flight log book and photo album.
George James Roney was born in Oamaru, NZ on 1st January 1922, to George and Rosannah Roney. His father was a baker from Adelaide, and George was one of six children (2 girls, 4 boys). His early education was at Oamaru North, followed by a secondary education at Waitaki Boys’ High School where George attained matriculation standard. George Roney’s name is on the Honour Board of Waitaki Boys’ High School and he had considerable sporting ability, being a member of his school’s first rugby fifteen, and taking what was described as an ‘outstanding part’ in athletics. He went on to win the Junior Otago High Jump Championship in 1941 and tied equal for the North Otago Championship as a member of the North Otago Amateur Athletic Association. He also belonged to the Athletic Football Club and to the Oamaru Miniature Rifle Club.
After leaving school, George was apprenticed locally as a motor mechanic. He joined the Territorials for 2 years and moved with them up to Christchurch where he enlisted for air crew training in the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 21 December 1941.
His flight training began at Taieri airbase near Dunedin NZ, and Woodbourne airbase near Blenheim.
He continued his flight training at Calveley England in July 1943.
