"Flight-Sergeant Maurice Roy Haycock, who was killed recently in an aircraft accident on Mt. Egmont was a resident of Brightwater. He was born in Richmond, 27 years ago, son of Mr and Mrs G. A. C. Haycock, and was educated at Nelson College. He was a member of the Waimea junior representative cricket team, and was also a keen rifleman, being an excellent shot. He served in the Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles for three years before the war. He volunteered and served in the army from September 1941 to December, 1942. In 1942 he joined the Air Force and won his Wings in December, 1943. Flight-Sergeant Haycock was engaged as a pilot in the transport service between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. He leaves a wife and a small son. The funeral was held at the Anglican Churchyard, Brightwater, yesterday. Air Force personnel were the bearers and provided a firing squad. A service in the church was conducted by Canon J. W. Bloyce and Padre E. E. Bamford, R.N.Z.A.F."

[Nelson Evening Mail, VOL 79, 9 September 1944, p.2]

Flying an Anson in cloud at 1200 feet, near Mt Egmont, John Cummins unwittingly headed toward rising ground. The 2^nd Navigator, Maurice Haycock, more familiar with the area, attempted to take control, but the plane stalled as he attempted to turn and climb away and despite all attempts, eventually crashed into trees. The two pilots were killed, but their 2 passengers survived, wounded.

[For Your Tomorrow, Errol Martyn, Vol.2, p.272]