297

ational flying. From this base as Captain of Torbeau and Beaufighter aircraft he took part in 14 operational flights, comprising shipping strikes, and patrols in the Norwegian Fjords, namely Aalesund, Orsta, Songe, Jomfruland, Veruing, Utvae, Ytterone, Stutlandet, and Homborsund in Norway. As a result of the attacks on shipping two large motor vessels were left burning and damaged, and later both ships were reported as having been sunk by torpedo bombing.

On the 14th April, 1945, Flying Officer Parkin was the pilot of a Beaufighter aircraft which took off on an Armed Reconnaissance patrol to Josing Fjord, Norway, and failed to return to its base. The aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision, and was seen to ditch into the sea. Following the crash both occupants were observed in a dinghy in the same area but no further news was heard of them, and both Flying Officer Parkin and his Observer were classified as missing. After extensive investigations in the Josing Fjord area, with no result it was assumed that he had lost his life at sea, and his death was officially presumed to have occurred on the 14th April 1945.

The observer of the aircraft was also a New Zealander, Flying Officer R.L. Nugent of Auckland.

Find a Grave link with a photo of Flying Officer Parkin: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15260700/graham_george-parkin

5/2/13926 AS2.
520 hours as Pilot.

Mrs. I.R. Parkin (Mother) (right aligned)
1 Moa Street (right aligned)
LOWER HUTT. (right aligned)