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401404 F/O Kenneth Patrick Carroll MORPETH.
PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. K.C. Morpeth of Wellington.

Ken Morpeth was born in Wellington on November 1st, 1914. He was educated at Wellington and Wellesley Colleges where he was a good all-round sport. After leaving school, he studied accountancy subjects at the Technical College Night School and at Victoria University College. He was employed by Paton & Baldwin Ltd., as a travelling representative in woollen goods. Immediately on the outbreak of war, Ken Morpeth applied for aircrew enlistment and was mobilised in June 1940.

As a pilot under training at Taieri and Wigram, he did exceptionally well, gaining his Flying Badge and Commission and was selected as a Flying Instructor. Accordingly he went to Hobsonville for a special course, following which he went to Harewood and Taieri where many young pilots were trained by him between February 1941 and October 1942. He was assessed as an "Above Average" Flying Instructor and was promoted to Flying Officer.

On October 16th, 1942, F/O Morpeth was posted to the Operational Training Squadron for Fighter Pilots at Ohakea where he became a service pilot of Harvard and Kittyhawk aircraft and was posted to No. 16 Fighter Squadron. After a few months of Army co-operation and cross country flying, he joined No. 14 Squadron in March, 1943 and shortly afterwards went forward to the Pacific. Piloting his Kittyhawk from Norfolk Island to Caledonia, F/O Morpeth had to crash land on the beach at Noumea owing to adverse weather conditions with several other pilots, but they all landed well. During May, he also had to bale out owing to engine trouble, but was picked up after an hour in his dinghy.

On June 12th, 1943, F/O Morpeth was a member of a flight of seven kittyhawk aircraft to No. 14 Squadron which set off from Espiritu Santo to intercept a formation of enemy Zeros. A few miles east of the Russell Islands, they made contact and in ensuing aerial combat, F/O Morpeht was shot down into the sea.

Find a Grave link with a photo of F/O Morpeth: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/249393629/kenneth_patrick_carroll-morpeth

5/2/1844
1940 hours

Mr. K.C. Morpeth (F) (right aligned)
5 Central Terrace (right aligned)
WELLINGTON. (right aligned & underlined)