Everyone at the Royal New Zealand Airforce who heard George West playing the bugle loved it. Air Force Museum of New Zealand John Moore, left, and Leading Aircraftman George West at Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Wigram. In 1936, West was the first Māori to be accepted into the Royal New Zealand Air Force, when he joined as an aero engine fitter. But it was not until 1935 that the rules around acceptance into the Air Force were relaxed and the 21-year-old was finally allowed in. Though West only served three years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, he made quite an impact.

Source: Stuff April 24, 2019 19:18 UTC