[1] Findlay had been studying in England at the outbreak of the First World War and was commissioned as an officer in the East Surrey Regiment.

[2] 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.

His brother, Second Lieutenant Ian Calcutt Findlay, 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment had died of wounds at the 16th Field Ambulance Advanced dressing Station, Belgium on 10 August 1915, aged 18.

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.

Findlay was promoted to wing commander in January 1938 and proceeded for attachment to the Royal Air Force as an exchange officer.