Jim Sheddan

Cornelius James Sheddan, DFC (3 March 1918 – 9 December 2010) was a flying ace of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with the destruction of five and a half German aircraft as well as seven V-1 flying bombs.

Born in Waimate, Sheddan joined the RNZAF in April 1941. After completing his flight training, he was posted to the United Kingdom to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF). He had short postings at No. 485 Squadron and No. 1 Delivery Flight before being sent to No. 486 Squadron in September 1942. Following the Normandy landings, he flew extensively during the RAF's operations to intercept V-1 flying bombs launched at England. Once the threat of the V-1s receded, the squadron flew in support of the Allied advance into the Low Countries and then Germany. He was commander of No. 486 Squadron during the final stages of the war until its disbandment in the immediate postwar period. Returning to civilian life in April 1946, he was involved in farming work and pest control. He retired in the 1980s and wrote his autobiography, which was published in 1993.