Operation: Return flight

Date: 25th April 1945 (Wednesday) Anzac Day

Unit: No. 1435 Squadron (motto: 'Protect The Right')

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: ML239

Code: V-?

Base: Vis, Yugoslavia

Location: Ancona, Italy

Pilot: P/O. Paxton Chapple NZ/422368 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from Falconara and very shortly afterwards suffered engine failure at 17:45 hrs.

Thee pilot attempted a force landing in a field 8 kilometres south of Ancona. On landing the aircraft hit a ditch, the young New Zealand pilot died of his injuries almost immediately. .

Burial and personal details:

P/O. Paxton Chapple. Ancona War Cemetery. Grave I.K.16. Born on the 18 December 1922 at Oakland, California, USA. Family moved to New Zealand around 1925. Prior to service worked as a joiner for R.J. Bould at Rotura. Enlisted on the 02nd March 1942 at Rongotai. Trained in Canada and received his pilot badge on the 28th May 1943 and promoted to sergeant. Commissioned on the 10th November 1944. Joined 1435 squadron on the 03rd July 1944 after conversion training with 73 Operational Training Unit. Son of Hollis Miro Blanchard Chapple and Constance May (nee Penn) Chapple of Waiwera, brother of Doreen and Donald. A total of 592 flying hours logged and completed 80 operational sorties.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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