Wing Commander John "Johnny" Milne Checketts, DSO, DFC (20 February 1912 - 21 April 2006) was a World War II Flying ace. Checketts was born in Invercargill on 20 February 1912 and was educated at the Invercargill South School and Southland Technical College, where he studied Engineering before undertaking an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. He destroyed 14½ enemy aircraft, had three probables and damaged 11. Checketts joined the RNZAF in October 1940, at the age of 28. He graduated from his wings course in June 1941 as a Pilot Officer and was posted to the United Kingdom. After converting to Spitfires Checketts joined 485(NZ) Squadron in November 1941. On 12 February 1942 the unit took part in operations over the English Channel when...
