274

DA/NF (right aligned)
426126 : Flight Sergeant Colin Selkirk HENDERSON.
PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. T. Henderson of Dunedin.

Colin Henderson was born at Dunedin on the 21st June, 1919, and received his secondary education at Otago Boys' High School. The sport in which he was interested included hockey and tennis. He was a member of his college hockey 1st XI. After leaving school, he was employed as a clerk by F. Meredith & Coy. Ltd., Dunedin and at the time of his making application for aircrew training on the 20th January 1941, he was employed as a machinist by Coulls Somerville & Wilkie Ltd., Dunedin.

Flight Sergeant Henderson was enlisted at Rongotai on the 29th May, 1942, and was posted to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua on the 15th July, 1942. On the completion of his initial training he embarked on the 2nd October, 1942, for Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

F/Sgt. Henderson arrived at No. 3 "M" Depot, Edmonton, Alberta, on the 19th October and was posted on the 8th November to No. 7 Air Observers School, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. On the 21st January 1943, he proceeded to the Composite Training School, Trenton, Ontario, and remustered to an air bomber and was posted on the 2nd May to No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta, and thence on the 25th July to No. 2 Air Observers School, Edmonton, Alberta, where on the 1st October he was awarded his air bomber's badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st April 1944. Meanwhile he embarked on the 22nd October, 1943, from No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia for the United Kingdom.

F/Sgt. Henderson arrived at No. 12 (RNZAF) Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton on the 21st October and was posted on the 22nd February, 1944, to No. 9 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, Penhros, Scotland, and proceeded on the 18th April to No. 84 Operational