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416114: FLIGHT SERGEANT JOHN LAWRENCE HENDRY.
Wife: Mrs. G.A. HENDRY of AUCKLAND.

John Hendry was born at Auckland on the 13th January, 1915 and received his secondary education at Seddon Memorial Techncial College, Auckland. He was actively interested in both cricket and football. He was employed as a clerk with the Devonport Steam Ferry Co. Ltd. when on the 4th December 1940 he applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Flight Sergeant Hendry was enlisted for aircrew training on the 9th November 1941 at the Ground Training School, Levin, and was posted on the 22nd December, to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenuapai, where he commenced his flying training. From here on the 7th February, 1942 he proceeded to No. 3 Service Flying Training School, Ohakea, where on the 4th April, 1942 he was awarded his Flying Badge. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 13th June 1942 and to Flight Sergeant on the 15th May 1943. Meanwhile on the 22nd June 1942 he had embarked for the United Kingdom.

The journey was made via Canada and Flight Sergeant Hendry arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 30th July, 1942. He was posted on the 17th August to No. 15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Leconfield, Yorkshire. He was further posted on the 22nd September of the same year to No. 19 Operational Training Unit, Kinloss, Morayshire, Scotland, where he crewed up and completed his training on Whitley bomber aircraft. He proceeded on the 9th December, 1942 to No. 10 Operational Training Unit, St. Eval, Cornwall, for training in anti-submarine patrols. On the 10th February, 1943 Flight Sergeant Hendry was posted to No. 1654 Conversion Unit, Wigsley, Nottinghamshire, where he converted to Lancaster heavy bomber aircraft. On the 26th June, 1943 he was posted to No. 106 Squadron, Syerston, Nottinghamshire, and commenced operational flying. With this squadron as pilot of a Lancaster bomber he took part in eleven operations including attacks on Cologne (2), Hamburg, Mannheim, Pennemude, Nurenberg.