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

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

Richard Pepper enlisted in May 1943, completed Army Basic Training and was then released on a part-time basis to complete essential wool classing activities. Early in 1944 he was recalled to full-time Army Service and in 1945 he was posted to the 16th Reinforcements 2NZEF at Trentham Camp. The conclusion of WW2 created the abandonment of Reinforcements and Pepper was posted to Army HQ at Wellington. Early in 1946 he was posted to the First Relief Draft J Force at Papakura Camp.

On returning from Japan in October 1948 Richard Pepper was assigned to the Regular Army Staff at Area 7 Napier. In mid 1949 he was posted to the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps at Waiouru Camp. Late in 1952 he was posted to the Royal Tank Regiment (British) in Korea.

On return from Korea Mr Pepper participated as an Instructor in various roles, including several overseas exchanges.

In 1966 on the founding of No.3 Helicopter Squadron RNZAF he was assigned to that unit

During the Vietnam Campaign Pepper was posted to the Australian Logistics Group. His term in Vietnam was extended, during which he served (attached) with the 3rd Squadron - 4th US Cavalry. (Based on Biographical Notes written by R L Pepper, February 1999).

Vietnam: Attached to 2nd Bn, 34th Armour 11-25 Mar 1970; then 3rd Sqn, 4th Cav Regt 27 Mar - 11 Apr 1970.

Cenotaph record initially prepared with the serviceman in 1999. Volunteered with the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Armoury Information Centres for many years. Two serial numbers, the first (635329) is from the 2NZEF while the other (P33363) came into effect from 1949. AWMM