273

A40972 Flying Officer Cyril Griffith William HENDERSON.
Widow: Mrs. F.E. Henderson of Marton.

Cyril Henderson was born in Eltham, Taranaki on August 5th, 1916 and received his secondary education at the New Plymouth Boys' High School up to Matriculation standard. He afterwards attended the Stratford Technical High School for two years and studied accountancy with Entings Commerical College, Wellington.

His School sports included rugby, cricket and tennis. At the New Plymouth High School he was in the Second XV and First XI and at the Technical High School he was a member o the First XV and First XI. After leaving school he played golf and tennis, as as member of the Stratford Golf Club and Eltham and Stratford Tennis Clubs. At the time of applying for enlistment in the Civil Reserve of Pilots on February 3rd, 1939, Flying Officer Henderson was employed as a clerk by Mr. T.L. Penn, Public Accountant, Stratford.

Flying Officer Henderson was enlisted at the Ground Training School, Levin on April 9th 1940 proceeding a month later to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth.

He was posted on July 1st to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Blenheim where he was awarded the Flying Badge on August 23rd and was promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer. He was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer on October 26th, 1941. Meanwhile in November 1940 Flying Officer Henderson proceeded to Hobsonville on a Flying Instructors' Course on the completion of which he was posted to Ohakea on Staff Pilot duties. In March, 1942 he was transferred to No. 1 Service Flying Training School, Wigram where he trained on Oxford aircraft. Flying Officer Henderson was posted on a Refresher Course to the Central Flying School, Tauranga in May, returning three weeks later to Wigram for flying instruction duties.

Flying Officer Henderson was killed in an air crash at Wigram on December 18th, 1942 when an Oxford aircraft, in which he was the instructor collided with another Oxford aircraft, and on crashing to the ground was completely destroyed.

Flying Officer Henderson was buried in the Midhirst Cemetery, Stratford.

Find a Grave link with a photo of Flying Officer Henderson: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186729557/cyril_griffith_william-henderson

5/1/97 AS2
No log book.

Mrs. F.E. Henderson (W) (right aligned)
Morris St. (right aligned)
MARTON. (right aligned & underlined)