Background
Findlay was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1895, the second son of Sir John Findlay, and was educated at Wellington College.
Findlay was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1895, the second son of Sir John Findlay, and was educated at Wellington College.
Findlay had been studying in England at the outbreak of the war and commissioned as an officer in the East Surrey Regiment. Findlay was also awarded the Croix de Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur by France in recognition of his gallantry. Findlay was wounded during the opening stages of the Battle of the Somme, but after recuperating joined the Royal Flying Corps as a pilot in March 1917.
Findlay served with the Royal Flying Corps throughout the war, but after transferring to the Royal Air Force on inception in 1919 he was demobilised in August 1921.
Findlay was married on 17 August 1921 in London to Ruby Violet Finch, youngest daughter of Thomas Alexander Finch of Trinity College, Dublin, after which they both returned to New Zealand. In June 1923 Findlay was one of the first officers to enlist in the New Zealand Permanent Air Force and commanded Base Wigram from 1926 to 1938.
During his time in Christchurch he played cricket during the 1925-1926 season for Canterbury. He was a right-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler.
He was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and the Coronation Medal in 1937.
Findlay was promoted to Wing Commander in January 1938 and proceeded for attachment to the Royal Air Force as an exchange officer I
Attached to the Royal Air Force at the beginning of I he commanded Number. 48 Squadron and Royal Air Force Hooton Park until recalled to New Zealand.
After service at the New Zealand Air Department as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff he was appointed Air Officer Commanding Central Group in September 1942.
Findlay was subsequently posted as New Zealand Head of the Joint Staff Mission and RNZAF Representative to Combined Chiefs of Staff, Washington District of Columbia, United States of America.
Findlay retired as an Air Commodore in 1954 after 10 years service as New Zealand Air Attaché in Washington District of Columbia. He died at Richmond, Surrey, England on 17 March 1983.