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414622: PILOT OFFICER DOUGLAS CHARLES HENLEY.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. W.J. HENLEY of AUCKLAND.

Douglas Henley was born at Helensville on the 19th October, 1919. He received his secondary education at Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland, and afterwards furthered his studies by attending classes in radio with Drusleigh College, Auckland. The sports in which he took part were rugby, tennis and swimming. His civilian occupation was that of a salesman and he was so employed by Mr. W.S. Miller of Auckland, garage proprietor, when in August, 1940 he applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Pilot Officer Henley was enlisted for aircrew training on the 16th August, 1941 at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, and was posted on the 29th September, 1941 to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenuapai, where he commence his flying training. he proceeded on the 10th November, 1941, to No. 3 Flying Training School, Ohakea, where on the 20th December, 1941 he was awarded his flying badge. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 31st January 1942 and the Flight Sergeant on the 1st May, 1943. On the 30th August, 1943 he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer. Meanwhile, on the 22nd February, 1942 he had embarked for the United Kingdom.

Pilot Officer Henley arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 15th April, 1942 and was posted on the 11th of the following month to No. 11 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Shawbury, Shropshire. He was posted on the 7th June, 1942 to No. 1524 Beam Approach Training Flight, Newton, Nottingham, where he undertook a course in instrument flying. At the conclusion of this course, he remained with No. 1524 Beam Approach Training Flight as an instructor. He proceeded on the 4th May, 1943 to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, first at Westcott and later at Oakley both in Buckinghamshire. At these stations he crewed up and completed his training on Wellington bomber aircraft. He was posted on the 22nd