454 and 459 RAAF Squadrons
Wing Commander Andrew Dill "Pete" HENDERSON
454 RAAF Squadron
Service No. 0366 (217)
Date of Birth: 2 Mar 1915
Place of Birth: Unknown
Date of Enlistment: 21 Jul 1937
Date of Discharge: 5 Jan 1968
Rank: Group Captain
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: OBE MID
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1937 Pilot Pt Cook; 8 RAAF Sqn, Hudsons, Singapore. 8.12.41 Japanese sneak attack 8.12.41 Kota Baru forced 8 Sqn retreat Sumatra; return via Ceylon. Instructor, then Darwin. Posted to M.E.; 5.10.43 to Nov 1944 C.O. 459 RAAF (Hudsons) G.R. Sqn: converted Sqn to Venturas Dec 1943, then July 1944 to Baltimores - covering Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. 25.11.1944 - 18.5. 1945 CO 454 RAAF (B) (Baltimores) Sqn Italy - close support 8th Arm in Desert Air Force.
Post-war - OC RAAF Williamtown; D Director Organisation, Dept of Air; OC RAAF Williamtown; D Director Organisation, Dept of Air; OC 86 Transport Wing; SASO and Adviser Australian High Commission London; OC RAAF East Sale, and OC RAAF Darwin.
Retired 1968 Air Commodore.
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Additional information about Group Captain Henderson is available through the Australian War Memorial
The Rededication of the Memorial 'To the Fallen' at Richmond RAAF base - 50th Reunion - 1992. On the day, John McKenzie, asked Hank and Ken Rimmer if they would carry the 454 - 459 Sqdn banner.
L-R: RAAF Padre, George Gray, Fred McKay (Clergyman), Pete Henderson, Pete Matthews, Hank Hayes, Ken Rimmer & John McKenzie.