Frederick Patrick Ladd

Frederick Patrick Ladd (27 October 1908 – 22 January 1989) was a New Zealand carrier, civilian and military pilot, tourism and aviation promoter.

Biography Ladd was born in Warkworth north of Auckland, New Zealand on 27 October 1908. After time in Auckland and Wellington, the family settled in Hamilton, where he attended Hamilton High School for one year. After a variety of jobs, he joined his father's carrying business in 1925 and took it over the following year after his father's death. He ran the company for 15 years. He was interested in flying, but did not have the means to pay for lessons until 1939. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1941 and graduated as a pilot in the following year. During World War II, he flew 33 missions in the Pacific.

In the 1963 New Year Honours, Ladd was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the people of Waiheke Island and other areas in the Hauraki Gulf in connection with rescue work and transport of the sick. He was promoted to Officer of the same order in the 1976 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to the tourist and aviation industries.

Ladd died of cancer on 22 January 1989 at Taupō, survived by his wife and daughter.