Terence Pepper was the son of Sydney Charles and Kathleen Helen Pepper, of Havelock North, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Sister of Lorna and Noreen.

Five sons served in WW2 and Jayforce. Two sons were killed, Terence Barnes Pepper (NZ405318) and and Douglas Reid Pepper (NZ425591), killed off the coast of France, the other three survived: Richard Lindsay Pepper (635329), Brian Sydney Carlyon Pepper, and Nolan Pepper (657063).

Terence Pepper obtained his primary education at Pukehou Public Primary School and his secondary at Te Aute College, both schools being situated in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. At the time of applying for enlistment in aircrew on the 25 November 1939, he was employed in the Social Security Department at Wellington.

Flight Sergeant Pepper was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing at Levin and proceeded to No.4 Elementary Flying Training School at Whenuapai. He completed the Pilot Wing's course at Wigram with the No.1 Service Flying Training School before embarking for the United Kingdom on 22 July 1941. He furthered his aircrew training at Bournemouth and Sutton Bridge and was finally assigned to 253 Squadron at Hebaldstow, Lincolnshire.

With 253 Sqaudron he was a pilot of Hurricane fighter aircraft, taking part in eleven operational flights, mostly dusk and dawn patrols, convoy patrols, and night fighter interception flights.

Flight Sergeant Pepper was the pilot of a Hurricane aircraft when engaged while on night fighter patrol on the night of the 12 August 1942. The aircraft failed to return to it's base, and Flight Sergeant Pepper was classified as missing. In due course his death was officially presumed to have occured on the 12th August 1942.

This account is based on biographical information supplied by R L Pepper to the Armoury Manager, February 1999.

Attended Te Aute College (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845614)) AWMM