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414990 Flying Officer Lawrence John Kirkpatrick (surname underlined)
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. M. Kirkpatrick of Gore (town underlined)

Lawrence Kirkpatrick was born at Gore on the 8th February 1923. He received his secondary education at Gore High School where he passed the Senior Free Place examination. His prinicpal sport was swimming. He was engaged as a shepherd on his father's sheep station near Gore. In July, 1940 he applied for war service in the R.N.Z.A.F.

Flying Officer Kirkpatrick was enlisted in aircrew on the 7th September 1941 at the Initial Training Wing, Levin and was posted on the 24th October 1941 to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, Taieri where he commenced his flying training. On the 17th December 1941 he embarked for Canada to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after his arrival in Canada, Flying Officer Kirkpatrick was posted on the 2nd January 1942 to No. 3 Service Flying Training School, Calgary, Alberta and on the 24th April 1942 he was awarded his flying badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 19th December, 1942 and promoted to Flying Officer on the 19th June, 1943. Meanwhile, on the 19th May, 1942 he had been posted to No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec, for training in the use of wireless aids in air navigation. On the 5th January 1943 he proceeded to New York to await embarkation for the United Kingdom.

Flying Officer Kirkpatrik arrived at No. 11 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 12th January 1943 and was posted at Greenham Common, Berkshire and later at Ramsbury, Wiltshire. He was posted on the 6th April, 1943 to No. 1 Beam Approach School, Watchfield, Wiltshire for a course in instrument flying. He proceeded on the 5th May 1943 to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, first at Oakley and later at Westcott both in Buckinghamshire. At these stations he crewed-up and completed his training on Wellington bomber aircraft. He was posted on the 29th July, 1943 to No. 1657 Conversion Unit, Stradishall, Suffolk, where he converted to Stirling bomber aircraft. On the 28th August 1943 he was posted to No. 75 (N.Z.) Squadron, Mepal, Cambridgeshire, and commenced operational flying. With this Squadron