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.
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.