This week marks the anniversary of the demise of Robert Jack Henderson on February 18, 1961.
Henderson, also called Bob, was a Flight Engineer within the Royal Air Drive’s 617 Squadron, famously often known as the Dambusters.
Born in 1920 in Tarbrax, Scotland, Henderson joined the RAF in 1937 and was a part of the historic Dams Raid, codenamed Operation Chastise, which aimed to destroy three dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley.
Henderson flew 18 missions with the Dambusters, together with the well-known Operation Chastise.
He was recognized for his technical expertise and bravado, incomes the Distinguished Flying Medal for his contributions. After the conflict, Henderson continued his service within the RAF and was stationed at numerous places, together with Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Tragically, Henderson died in 1961 whereas nonetheless serving in Cyprus. He was buried on the Dhekelia Garrison British Army Cemetery.
Apparently, a 12 months later in 1962, the final of the Dambusters, Captain Micky Martin, served because the station commander at RAF Nicosia. He was the one pilot nonetheless within the RAF nonetheless serving as a basic duties pilot.
What was RAF Nicosia?
RAF Nicosia, also called Royal Air Drive Nicosia, was a former Royal Air Drive station.
Constructed within the Nineteen Thirties, it served because the Headquarters for the Royal Air Drive Cyprus from June 8 to July 29, 1941. The station was initially the principal airport for Cyprus, often known as Nicosia Worldwide Airport, and it operated each civil and army aviation.
Throughout World Struggle II, RAF Nicosia performed an important function, internet hosting numerous RAF squadrons and offering fighter protection for the island. After the conflict, it continued to function a base for a number of RAF models and was concerned in numerous army operations.
The station was disestablished in 1966, and the positioning is now managed by the United Nations Peacekeeping Drive in Cyprus, used as a base for UN peacekeeping patrol helicopters.
