Operation: Circus 39

Date: 08th July 1941 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 485 Squadron (11 Group) (Motto: Ka whawhai tonu - We will fight on)

Type: Spitfire IIA

Serial: P8470

Code: OU-S

Base: RAF Redhill, Surrey

Location: North Sea off Gravelines

Pilot: Sgt. William Nisbet Hendry NZ/39067 RNZAF Age 23. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

With the great research carried out by Errol Martyn on the Royal New Zealand Airforce losses we have been able to compile this page. If you have further information and or photographs we would welcome contact from you.

Taking off at 05:40 hrs with 11 others from the squadron to escort 3 Stirlings on an operation to Mazingarbe in France.

P8470 was last seen off Gravelines at 07:00 hrs - no trace of the pilot or aircraft found and the pilot is now commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Sadly, the family was to lose his older brother later in the war. 28 year old, Fl/Sgt. John Lawrence Hendry NZ/416114 RNZAF had been the pilot of 106 Squadron Lancaster I ED409 ZN-B on an operation to Berlin on the 31/01st September 1943 when they were shot down by a night fighter. 4 of the crew were killed with 3 others taken PoW.

Later on this day another New Zealander was also lost, 23 year old, Sgt. Brian William Feely NZ/39788 of 611 Squadron - page also placed on this website - together with an appeal from the family, trying to trace his medals.

(Note: if you do find any service men/women New Zealand medals/awards please advise as the relatives maybe seeking them - we are working closely with Medals Reunited New Zealand and maybe able to assist in their return)

Burial details:

Left: Panel 64 at Runnymede Memorial.

Sgt. William Nisbet Hendry. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 64. Son of James Coates Hendry and Bridget Lena Hendry, of Auckland City, New Zealand. A total of 250 flying hours logged.

Also his brother:

Fl/Sgt. John Lawrence Hendry. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 26.D.5. Family details as shown on his brother above. Husband of Gwen A. Hendry of Auckland City, New Zealand. A total of 532 flying hours logged and on his 11th operational sortie. However, also served with 10 Operational Training Unit and is thought to have made several anti-submarine patrols out of St Eval.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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