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37213 Warrant Officer Maurice Joseph MURPHY.
Widow: Mrs. K.M. Ives, (re-married)
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. T.D. Murphy, Christchurch.

Maurice Murphy was born at Christchurch on October 22nd, 1914 and educated at Christchurch Technical High School, where he gained his Senior Free Place whilst taking a course in Engineering. For four years he served in the Territorial Force in the N.Z. Field Artillery. When applying for enlistment in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, on the 9th August 1937 he was employed as a cycle mechanic by J.S. Hobday, of Christchurch.

Warrant Officer Murphy was enlisted at Trentham on 20th October 1937. After completing the Drill and Disciplinary Course there he was posted to Wigram on the 4th January, 1938 for a Fitter Armourer Course. Late in July he was transferred to Harewood, afterwards serving at Wigram, Whenuapai, Gisborne, Nelson and Ohakea before embarking for the United Kingdom, on the 20th June 1943. He was promoted to Corporal on the 1st January 1940 to Sergeant on the 1st November 1940 and to Flight Sergeant on the (redacted November 1943) 1st May 1942, and to Warrant Officer on the 1st November 1943.

Warrant Officer Murphy arrived at No. 12 P.D.R.C. Brighton on the 1st August 1943 and later in the same month was posted to No. 83 Squadron, Huntingdonshire.

On the 26th November 1943 Warrant Officer Murphy was posted "missing believed killed" as a result of an explosion prior to the take-off of an aircraft on an operational mission. His body was not recovered, and in due course his death was officially presumed to have occurred on the 26th November 1943.

Find a Grave links with photos of W/O Murphy:
1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15259898/maurice-joseph-murphy
2. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56230310/maurice-joseph-murphy

4/2/6 A.S.2.

Mrs. K.M. Ives (W)
497 Barrinton St.
Christchurch.