S/Ldr J. Kilian was born in Queenstown on 23rd June, 1911.
He joined the RNZAF in September 1937 and was subsequently transferred to the RAF in 1941.
John was posted to 485 Squadron, where he later became a flight commander. He destroyed an FW 190 on 16th April, 1942, and eight days later damaged another on a sweep over northern France. 
 
In June, John was posted to 222 Squadron as a flight commander. On the 19th he shot down an FW 190 during a North Weald Wing attack on three minesweepers off the Belgian coast. 
 
Promoted to Squadron Leader, Kilian took command of 122 Squadron in July 1942, leading it on three patrols over Dieppe on 19th August to cover the Combined Operations raid. On the second patrol John shared, with fellow New Zealander Sergeant Peet, in the destruction of a DO 217. It was intercepted over the town and shot down after being chased inland at treetop height.  
On the third patrol the Spitfires while were engaged in protecting Allied ships from German bombers they were attacked by FW 190’s; John was slightly wounded during the action that followed.   
John was with 122 Squadron until November 1942, when his operational tour ended and, after a rest, was given command of 504 Squadron in March 1943. During an offensive sweep on 4th April, John damaged an FW 190. By the time he was posted away in July he is believed to have scored five victories during his service in England. 
 
Kilian returned to New Zealand and in July 1944 took command of 19 Squadron, RNZAF. 
Equipped with Corsairs, it operated in the Solomons in support of the ground forces, flying bomber-escort and ground-strafing sorties. 
 
He moved to command 14 Squadron, RNZAF in May 1945 and led it until the Japanese surrender. 
 
For services in Europe Kilian was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French.