John Rothwell was the son of Thomas Green Rothwell and Agnes Rothwell; husband of Nancy Ethel Dorothy Rothwell, of Orakei, Auckland, New Zealand.

John was born in Lancashire and commenced his education at the Hikurangi Primary and Whangarei High Schools. He followed various occupations and upon the outbreak of war, was employed in the Hikurangi Coal Mine. He enlisted immediately in the Air Force and was the first pilot to leave Hikurangi. He was granted his wings in New Zealand and saw considerable service on operational flying with Bomber Command. His death was reported to have occurred on November 7. His wife resides at Orakei.

A few days after his mother, Mrs Rothwell of View Rd, Hikurangi, had received word that her son had been killed in an air crash while flying with the RAF over England, she was informed by the Air Ministry that he had been granted his commission as Pilot Officer as from November 1 1943. "I trust that the knowledge of your son's splendid services has been recognised by the granting of a commisssion will be some consolation to you in the future," wrote the Air Secretary, Wing Commander, T A Barrow.

Attended Whangarei High School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845615)) AWMM