Geoffrey Fisken

Geoffrey Bryson Fisken, the youngest son of a farmer, was born in Gisborne, in New Zealand, on 17 February 1916. As a child he worked on the family farm and when his schooling was completed, he went to Ruakura Agricultural College before he moved to Masterton where he was a shepherd. Fisken, who had built a glider while in his teens, learnt to fly privately during the 1930s. Allegedly, on one occasion, he used an aircraft to round up sheep on his employer's farm. ==Second World War==

In September 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War Fisken volunteered for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), but was initially barred from enlisting. At the time in New Zealand, farming was a reserved occupation as it was considered vital for the war effort. It was not until March 1940 that Fisken was able to enlist, after convincing his employer to release him for service. Following this Fisken was accepted as a pilot and after completing his flying training, gained his 'wings' as a sergeant pilot in early 1941. However, by this time he was back in New Zealand; increasingly troubled with poor health, he had been repatriated the previous month. Fisken, who by this time held the rank of flying officer, was formally released on medical grounds from the RNZAF in December. The investiture for his DFC was held at Wellington the following year. ==Later life==

Following his discharge from the RNZAF, Fisken returned to farming in Masterton. He was later employed by the Egg Marketing Board after selling his farm before eventually retiring in 1976 after another period of farming, this time at Te Puke. He died on 12 June 2011 at Lara Lodge in Rotorua where he had lived for 31 years. His wife, Rhoda, predeceased him by 14 years. Together they had six children, five boys and a girl. Although his last victories in the Solomons were clearly documented, the number of his confirmed victories over Singapore has been contested, giving rise to totals of between ten and thirteen in different sources. Nevertheless, he is believed to have destroyed eleven aircraft, with another deemed to have been probably destroyed. He is also credited with damaging an aircraft. Fisken is considered to be the highest scoring British Commonwealth ace in the Pacific theatre. ==Notes==