Herbert Samuel Wipiti

Born 16 Jan 1922 - Died 3 Oct 1943

Service number: WWII NZ41388 AWMM
WWII 41388 AWMM
Also known as: Bert Sam AWMM
Herbert Samuel
Public - Sarndra - Researcher - 11 July 2015 - Memorial board at Altar - St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance, Biggin Hill, Kent, England.
Armed force / branch: Air Force AWMM
Last rank: WW2 Warrant Officer Class 2 AWMM Royal Air Force, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron AWMM
War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

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Herbert Samuel Wipiti — Portrait of Bert Sam Wipiti, Royal New Zealand Air Force, taken at Swainson's Studios, New Plymouth, c.Second World War. Puke Ariki, SW1923-1965.00235: https://collection.pukeariki.com/objects/87984. Image is subject to copyright restrictions.

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Biographical information

Son of Motu Tamihana and Ngamata Paenga Wipiti (nee Lowrie), Lower Mangorei, New Plymouth.

Bert Sam Wipiti (NZ41388), DFM (16 January 1922 – 3 October 1943), was born in New Plymouth. He was the son of Motu Tamihana Wipiti and Ngamata Paenga Wipiti (née Lowrie), and one of thirteen siblings. He attended New Plymouth Boys’ High School and worked as a refrigeration mechanic before enlisting in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in January 1941.

After completing pilot training in New Zealand, Wipiti was promoted to Sergeant and posted overseas in July 1941 to Singapore with No. 243 Squadron RAF. He was the first Māori airman to depart New Zealand for active overseas service. Flying Brewster Buffalo fighters during the Malayan and Singapore campaigns, he was credited with destroying five Japanese aircraft, including involvement in the first confirmed enemy aircraft shot down during the Battle of Singapore. For this service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in March 1942.

Following evacuation from Singapore, Wipiti served in India with No. 67 Squadron RAF before being posted to England in 1943. Promoted to Warrant Officer, he joined No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RNZAF, flying Spitfires on escort operations over occupied Europe. He was killed on operations over France on 3 October 1943, aged 21. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede, Surrey.

Joined 485 Squadron RNZAF (Spitfire) August 1943. AWMM
Bert Sam Wipiti grew up in New Plymouth and spent three years at New Plymouth Boy’s High School before beginning work as a junior refrigeration technician with Pattersons Ltd in New Plymouth. When World War Two broke out he enlisted with the RNZAF and received his training in Levin, Bell Block and Ohakea. He was promoted to Sergeant just before leaving for overseas in July 1941. He was posted to Singapore with the 243 Squadron at Kallang Airport. Bert stood out for his expertise during the aerial assault by the Japanese forces on Singapore where it is thought he was responsible for the first enemy aircraft to be shot down by his squadron. He was awarded the DFM for his service in Singapore. The citation read; “Sergeant Wipiti carried out a large number of operational flights against the enemy and displayed outstanding courage and determination whilst engaging large formations of enemy aircraft. He set a fine example to all.” After Singapore Bert was posted to Calcutta where he joined the 67 Squadron (RAF). He was promoted to Warrant Officer in 1943 and posted to England where he was trained in flying Spitfires before joining the 485 (NZ) Squadron at Briggin Hill, Kent. Bert died on 3 October 1944 after his aircraft was shot-down by enemy aircraft while escorting bombers over coastal France. His aircraft crashed into the sea and was lost. Bert’s name is commemorated on the Runnymeade memorial, England.
Public - Louise - Researcher - 9 September 2020 - West, J. (1995). Lest We Forget. New Plymouth: New Plymouth Boy’s High School Centennial Trust.
Puke Ariki, Swainson/Woods Collection ARC# SW1923-1965.00235 & ARC 2002-1005
Retrieved from https://collection.pukeariki.com/objects/87984 & https://collection.pukeariki.com/objects/35769
Bert was educated at New Plymouth Boys High School. He was the first Maori airman to leave New Zealand on active duty when he was posted to Singapore. He became an air ace by destroying five Japanese aircraft.
Public - Ian Banks - Researcher - 5 June 2020 - Research

Sources

External links: Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1531922
Sources Used
Wikidata Entity
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q4895376
Further Reference
RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ha - Hy. Archives New Zealand (R17845611)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845617
Sources Used
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, November 15). List of World War II aces from New Zealand. In Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_War_II_aces_from_New_Zealand
Further Reference
Jon Guttman (1/29/2026) This Maori WWII Ace Lived and Died as a Hero. HistoryNet
https://www.historynet.com/maori-ww2-hero-ace/
Further Reference
Aircrew Remembered:
https://aircrewremembered.com/wipiti-bernard-sam.html
Public - Antonio - Researcher - 11 August 2026 - Internet research
References: Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
vol.3, p.514
Hanson, C. (2001). By such deeds: honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999. Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
The Weekly News
Weekly News, 1943
Information kindly provided by family
Moorhead, M. (1976, November 10). Countdown to tragedy, Review (RSA). 9.
RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ue - Z. Archives New Zealand (R17845617) - Former archives reference: AIR118
List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [Missing - But Presumed Dead on Lapse of Time - Officers, Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845743)
Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - Embarkation Lists, November 1940 - July 1942. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845762).

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Herbert Samuel Wipiti

Herbert Samuel Wipiti

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