The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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241559 WO. Hubert James Wheeler "Horse" Hendy Royal Air Force 454 Squadron from:Southampton Jim Hendy (christened Hubert James Wheeler Hendy) originally came from Southampton and enlisted with the RAF when he reached 18 years of age during WWII. This was quite a change of pace for him as, up to that time, he had been working as a farm hand near Fordingbridge, Dorset where he was still using Suffolk Punch horses to plough the fields. When his training was complete he was sent to serve with the Australian 454 squadron based in the Middle East, due to the heavy losses incurred by their crews. Here, he teamed-up with three other men also from the UK (Jim Baber, Robbie Robinson and Les Weale), and was given the nickname of Horse which those in-the-know insisted on using for the rest of his life. They flew an adapted Baltimore on reconnaissance missions to photograph enemy positions and prospective targets for the bomber crews. Jim Hendy served as rear gunner and radio operator. Together, they survived an almost unprecedented number of sorties over hostile territory and had a number of close calls, including one of their first outings in which a piece of shrapnel pierced the body of the plane and struck Jim Hendy on the head he remarked at this point that he didn't see much future in this game. Subsequent to this period, Jim Hendy was promoted to non-commissioned warrant officer and continued to serve alongside his very good friend Les Weale, until they were all eventually demobbed after the end of the war in Europe. Falling on hard times after returning home, Jim Hendy was particularly grateful to Robbie Robinson who helped him to find employment with the GPO, where he worked until he retired. All four crew members remained firm friends after the war had ended and they continued to meet for regular reunions for as long as their health would permit. Jim Hendy and Jim Baber (pilot) remained weekly drinking companions in their home town of Southampton until into their 90s. Jim Hendy was the last surviving member of the crew and died in March 2017 at the age of 95. I hope he knew how much he would be missed by all of his family and friends. Jim Hendy with crew and Baltimore 454 crew in 1940s 1980s and 2009 Alexandra McCormac Add to this record.  Related Content: No. 454 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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