John Rudling was the son of Thomas George and Minna Louisa Rudling, of Auckland, New Zealand. He came to New Zealand with his parents in 1924 and was educated at Mt Albert Grammar School and Seddon Memorial Technical College (where he studied accounting). On leaving school he was employed as a bank clerk. He applied for war service with the RNZAF in March 1940. On 6 September 1941 he was awarded his flying badge and promoted to rank of Sergeant In 1941 he embarked from New Zealand for San Francisco, then to Vancouver and across Canada by rail to Halifax where he embarked and reached Liverpool on Christmas Day 1941.

1 October 1942 - promoted to Flight Sergeant.

16 April 1943 - commissioned as Pilot Officer.

16 October 1943 - promoted to Flying Officer.

Arrived in India (26 July 1942).

Posted to No. 136 Squadron (based at Dum Dum in Bengal).

Flying Hurricane fighters he took part in two day and one night patrol before the squadron moved to Chittagong, near the Burmese border. From here Flying Officer Rudling carried out a further 81 operational sorties - interceptions, patrols, bomber and shipping escorts, fighter sweeps and low-level strafing attacks. During these operations he destroyed two enemy aircraft and damaged another and on one occasion was forced to bale out (see award circumstances).

End of June 1943 - No. 136 Squadron was withdrawn to Baigachi, near Calcutta and later to Amarda where they were re-equipped with Spitfire aircraft.

Early February 1944 - Moved to Rumkapalong in the Arakan district of Burma.

March 1944 - moved to Sapam and Wanjing airfield in the Imphal Valley. From these bases Flying Officer Rudling engaged in a further 49 operational sorties and succeeded in damaging four enemy aircraft in combat.

The following is a transcript of the report on loss of Flying Officer J.D. Rudling, DFM: "Flying Officer Rudling was airborne in Spitfire VIII (JF619) from Rumkapalong with the rest of the squadron at 1535 hours on 29 April 1944 to carry out a low-level attack on Kangaung air field. When at 9500 feet north of Popa, the squadron formed into two flights of 6 and 4 aircraft, the flight of 6 leading. Flying Officer Rudling was flying in the second flight of 4 aircraft as JANUS RED 3. The order to jettison long-range tanks was given at 7000 feet. JANUS RED 2 could not release his tank and he stayed up with Flight Officer Rudling covering him, while the other two aircraft of the flight commenced a gradual dive on the target. When 4 miles west of Kangaung at 1500 feet and 400 yards behind and 500 feet above the leading flight, 5 enemy fighters were sighted by JANUS RED 1, 1000 feet directly above. The enemy aircraft were seen to be peeling off and commencing an attack. JANUS RED 1 was attacked by two enemy fighters. Flying Officer Rudling was seen to come down to assist him and he was immediately attacked by another enemy fighter. He turned steeply to port with an Oscar attacking him from astern and obtaining strikes on his aircraft. JANUS RED 1 while turning to starboard succeeded in firing a short burst at the Oscar but no visual damage could be seen. Shortly afterwards Flying Officer Rudling crashed in flames and his aircraft was seen burning on the ground four miles west of Kangaung. While taking evasive action JANUS RED 4 who was the fourth member of the flight saw an aircraft explode in the air and it is assumed that this aircraft was RED 3 flown by Flying Officer Rudling. (Signed) E.C. Watson S/Mr; Officer Commanding; No. 136 Squadron, RAF"

Attended Mt Albert Grammar School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845615)) AWMM