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JC/NF (right aligned)
416486 : Flying Officer William John Henry HENLEY. D.F.C.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Henley of Auckland.

William Henley was born at Auckland on the 18th March, 1916, and received his secondary education at the Seddon Memorial Technical College. He was interested in soccer, tennis and swimming. He later undertook a cousre in commerical art at Druleigh College, Auckland. At the date of his entry into the Air Force he was employed by Messrs. Stonex Bros, Auckland.

He applied for aircrew training in November, 1940 but his application was deferred on medical grounds. He entered the Air Force in November 1941 reporting to the Initial Training Wing, Levin. He underwent his flying training at No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenuapai and No. 1 Flying Training School, Wigram. He was awarded the flying badge on the 5th May, 1942 and promoted to Sergeant on the 11th July, while at Wigram.

F/O Henley embarked for the United Kingdom on the 20th July, 1942 arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth at the end of August. On the 22nd September he was posted to No. 6 Advanced Flying Unit, Little Rissington, Gloucestershire/. On the completion of the course he proceeded to No. 7 Flying Instructor's School, Upavon, Wiltshire, for a flying instructor's course. On the 10th February 1943 he was posted to No. 15 Advanced Flying Unit, Andover, Hampshire. He flew from this aerodrome and teh nearby Satellite aerodrome of Ramsbury, for the next five months. On the 15th May, 1943 he was promoted to Flight Sergeant.

On the 28th July, 1943, he was posted to No. 18 Advanced Flying Unit, Snitterfield, Warwickshire, where he carried out flying instructional duties on Oxford aircraft for the next 14 months. On the 15th May, 1944 he was promoted to Warrant Officer. In September, 1944 after having completed over 1400 flying hours he was posted to No. 1655 Mosquito Training Unit, Warboys, Huntingdonshire, for training on Mosquito aircraft. On the completion of the course in November, 1944, F/O Henley was posted to No. 571 Squadron, Oakington, Cambridgeshire.