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NZ412260 Flight Sergeant Sidney Beverley MURPHY.
PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. R.C. Murphy of Gisborne.

Sidney Murphy was born at Gisborne on the 24th September, 1918. His secondary education was received at Wanganui Collegiate School where he attained school certificate standard. He was a member of his School First XV, and was also interested in swimming, tennis and rowing. His civilian occupation was that of a shepherd in the employ of his father at Panikau and he was so employed when in March, 1940 he made application for enlistment in aircrew of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Flight Sergeant Murphy was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 12th April 1941 and on the satisfactory completion of the course proceeded to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenuapai for his elementary flying training. During May his training was interrupted due to hospitialisation and he resumed his training in July at No. 3 Flying Training School, Ohakea. At this Station on the 29th November he was awarded the flying badge and on the 10th January 1942 promoted to the rank of Sergeant while in the United Kingdom. He was further promoted on the 1st May, 1943 to Flight Sergeant. Meanwhile on the 31st January 1942 he had embarked for the United Kingdom.

Flight Sergeant Murphy arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 10th March 1942 and on the 26th May proceeded to No. 15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Kirmington, Lincolnshire for his advanced flying. During July he attended a short course at No. 1512 Beam Approach Training Flight, Dishforth, Yorkshire, on the conclusion of which he returned to Kirmington, prior to his posting on the 22nd September to No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, Turnberry, Ayrshire. At this Unit he trained on Beaufort aircraft until proceeding on the 1st January, 1943 to No. 1 Torpedo Training Unit also at Turnberry and thence on the 23rd May to No. 306 Ferry Training Unit, Templeton, Pembrokeshire. From this Unit on the 11th June he proceeded by air to India. The journey was made by way of Africa and Mauripur, India was reached on the 21st of the month. He remained with 21 Ferry Control at Mauripur where he flew on numerous ferrying flights in India.

Early in April Flight Sergeant Murphy was admitted to the British Military Hospital Delhi, suffering from poliomyelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord) from which he succumbed on the 7th April, 1944.