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39918 Squadron Leader Harold Wright HENEY, D.S.C.
Widow: Mrs. J.M. Browne of Bourne End, England. (Re-married, one child).
Parents: Mrs. & Mrs. H. Heney of Kaiapoi.

Harold Heney was born at Rangiora on the 12th August 1920, and was educated at West Christchurch High School, and Rangiora High School. He was Captain of the School 1st light weight Rugby team, and later was a member of the tennis, rugby and swimming clubs in Kaiapoi. After leaving school, he was employed in farming, in his father's grain and seed business, and then as an instructory Ford Motors Ltd. In September 1938 he applied for a Short Service Commission in the Royal Air Force but although accepted, he was unable to take up his commission owing to the outbreak of War. Instead he was accepted for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Squadron Leader Heney was enlisted on the 26th October, 1939, in the Initial Training Wing, Levin, and after completing a period of ground training, was posted on the 22nd November, to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, Taieri, for training as an airman pilot. He was next posted to No. 1 Flying Training School, Wigram, on the 16th January, 1940, and while here was awarded the Flying Badge on the 21st March, and on the 4th May, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While later serving overseas he was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st September 1941 and to Warrant Officer on the 1st April 1942.

On the 27th July 1942 he was granted a commission in the rank of Pilot Officer, promoted to Flying Officer six months later, to Flight Lieutenant on the 24th November, 1943, and to Squadron Leader on the 16th February 1944. Meanwhile, on the 24th May, 1940 he had embarked at Wellington in the "Mataroa" and sailed for the United Kingdom.

Arriving in England, he reported first to No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge, Middlesex, on the 10th July, and on the 27th July he proceeded to No. 12 Operational Training Unit, Chipping Warden, Oxfordshire. On the 15th December, he transferred to No. 15