Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

REMEMBERING KEVIN SHOPPEE 50 YEARS ON

On 29 November 2023, former members of 4 Field Survey Squadron joined the family of Army Aviation pilot 2LT Kevin Shoppee, some of his National Service classmates from OTU Scheyville, a former Army Aviation helicopter pilot from 183 Recce Flt and others, at Derrick Gardens, Centennial Park in Adelaide, to remember Kevin on the 50th Anniversary of his death on Mt Wilhelm, PNG, during Operation Plastic Flagon in 1973.

50 years ago, to the day, 23-year-old Kevin was flying a Sioux helicopter that crashed while attempting to land on Mt Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in PNG at 14,793 feet.  Kevin’s passenger was Colin Darch, at the time a Sergeant with 4 Fd Svy Sqn, who was going to panel the trig station (NM 19) on the top of the mountain.  Colin sustained injuries but fortunately survived; Kevin, who was only 23 at the time, was not so lucky.

Leading up to the 50th Anniversary of Kevin’s death, his sole surviving immediate family member, his sister Christine Malpas (nee Shoppee), assisted with background information, photographs and letters, to enable a detailed profile to be written for the South Australia Aviation Museum’s History Group website and for uploading to the Virtual War Memorial Australia.

While meeting with Chris Malpas, it became apparent that her parents (Arthur and Rachel Shoppee) and Chris had never been told what had actually happened, nor the circumstances surrounding the crash on the last flying day of an approximately 4-month operation.  Chris, who was around 22 at the time of the crash, had always been of the belief that Kevin’s helicopter had crashed somewhere in the jungle.

Almost 50 years on, tears would well up in Chris’ eyes whenever talking about her brother.  Following conversations with Ian Smith, Chair of the RSL SA & NT Anzac Day Committee, wheels were put into motion to hold a Commemoration Service at his graveside on the 50th anniversary of Kevin’s death.  The service went ahead as planned, attended by approximately 40 people.  Included amongst the people attending were Chris and Geoff Malpas, their adult children Kevin (named after his uncle), Jenny and their partners, and Chris and Geoff Malpas’ two nieces from Victoria, Theresa and Kim and their partners. 

Master of Ceremonies was David Lyas, Chaplain Paul Ghanem of 10th / 27th Battalion gave the Reflection, Prayers of Remembrance, Lord’s Prayer and Benediction and the Commemorative Address was given by Gary Petts, former 4 Field Survey Squadron member.

Chris Malpas, led the placing of tributes by placing flowers on behalf of the family, followed by guests who were invited to place sprigs of rosemary. 

Afterwards, guests went back to the Avoca Hotel for drinks, something to eat and exchanged a lot of memories.

REST IN PEACE KEVIN

A full SA Aviation Museum Significant Aviator Profile for Kevin can be found under the ‘Documents’ tab for this listing.

Gary Petts

December 2023

Kevin Damian Joseph SHOPPEE was born in Melbourne, Victoria on 21st February, 1950

His parents were Arthur Hendy SHOPPEE & Rachel LOWE who married in Victoria in 1936