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RAF36177 Pilot Officer John Dawson MURPHY.
Mother: Mrs. V.E. Murphy of Riverlea, Taranaki.

John Murphy was born at Hawera on the 2nd April, 1919. He received his secondary education at the Sacred Heart College, Auckland, passing the Matriculation examination. He played football for his College 1st XV and afterwards took part in mountaineering and athletics, being a member of the Mt. Egmont Alpine Club, the Ruapehu Ski Club and the Hawera Athletic Club. At the time of applying for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force, in April 1937 he was employed on his father's farm in South Taranaki.

On acceptance he commenced his elementary flying training with the Canterbury Aero Club in July, 1938 completing his service flying training at Wigram in December, afterwards embarking on the "Tainui" for the United Kingdom in February, 1939.

Pilot Officer Murphy arrived at No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge, Middlesex on the 15th March and was granted a short service commission in the commencing rank of Pilot Officer, being then posted on the 29th March to No. 107 Squadron first at Harwell, Berkshire (redacted and afterwards) then later at Wattisham, Suffolk, and later at Lossiemouth, Scotland. With this Squadron he converted to Blenheim aircraft and after the outbreak of war took part in nine operational flights being reconnaissance flights and sweeps over the North Sea against enemy shipping.

On the 24th April 1940, Pilot Officer Murphy was a member of the crew of a Blenheim aircraft which took off from Lossiemouth for the target of Stavenger Aerodrome in Norway, and failed to return to its base, all members of the crew, including Pilot Officer Murphy, being classified as missing. After a due lapse of time, as no further news was received, his death was officially presumed to have occurred on the 24th April 1940.

No subsequent information has been received concerning the aircraft or any member of the crew.

5/2/1041 AS2.
287 Hours as Pilot.

Mrs. V.E. Murphy (M) (right aligned)
"Westlands" (right aligned)
Riverlea (right aligned)
TARANAKI (right aligned & underlined)