Cyril was killed March 19th 1943. He was 21, born in South Shields on August 21st 1921. His parents were Thomas Grant Henry (1887-1953) and Hilda Jane Henry, nee Ellis (1889 -1984) of Tyne Dock, South Shields. Thomas and Hilda had married in Dewsbury in 1915. Elder sister, Dorothy Winifred had been born in South Shields, in 1918.
F/Lt Cyril Reginald Henry (102972) 109 Squadron Pilot was the pilot of Mosquito BIV D2427 flying out of their base at Wyton, Hunts. His Navigator was P/O William Hames Olde (134657) born in 1918, was the only son of William Symons Moyse (an Agricultural Merchant) and Violet Blanche Searle Olde, of Boscastle.
Their aircraft crashed between Boston and Spalding in Lincolnshire, due to a structural failure in a routine squadron training flight. Both airmen lost their lives.
Dad, Thomas Henry was employed as a Juvenile Employment Officer, on the Education Committee at the Town Hall. In 1939 Cyril was already in the RAF. The family were living at 35 St Mary’s Terrace, Tyne Dock.
The funeral of their son was on March 24th where a Requiem Mass was held at St Mary’s, Tyne Dock. Cyril was buried in Harton Cemetery, South Shields, Section 9, Grave 8123.
In March 1940 it was reported in the Shields Gazette, that Cyril’s uncle, veteran Robert Wiseman Henry (1889), was killed in the blackout by a bus. Robert had served with the Durham Light Infantry in France and had been wounded in the neck in 1915. Then in 1917 he was seriously wounded by an aerial torpedo, which made him practically blind. Robert served in France 24/8/1915 – 12/1/1916 and 7/4/1916 – 14/8/1916.
Squadron Summary:
February 1st 1943 F/Lt Henry carried out a cross country to Marham and return (in a Mosquito)
Squadron Summary:
March 1st 1943 20h45 F/Lt Henry carried out an operational flight and landed 23h45.
March 2nd 1943 F/Lt Henry local night flying test and local air tests
March 3rd 1943 F/Lt Henry local night flying test.
March 4th 1943 22h05 F/Lt Henry carried out an operational flight and landed at 01h45.
March 5th 1943 F/Lt Henry local night flying test
March 6th 1943 F/Lt Henry local night flying test
March 16th 1943 F/Lt Henry local night flying test.
March 19th 1943 F/Lt Henry crashed while carrying out local test flight.
Squadron Diary:
Operations carried out by Cyril and his Navigator P/O Olde
February 26th 1943 Mosquito IV D2425
Take off 19:20 landed 22:10
Target as detailed, Aachen attacked from 28,000ft by ARI 5513
February 27th 1943 Mosquito IV D2430
Take off 20:35 landed 23:35
Target as detailed, Munchen Gladbach attacked from 28,000ft by ARI 5513
March 1st 1943 Mosquito IV D2430
Take off 20:45 landed 23:45
Target as detailed, Ruhrort attacked from 28,000ft by ARI 5513
March 4th 1943 Mosquito IV DZ356
Take off 22:05 landed 01:45
Target as detailed, Cologne attacked from 26,000ft by ARI 5513 and dead reckoning (navigation by map plotting and watch)
ARI 5513 was a navigational aid called OBOE which was brought in, in November 1942. Early equipment, as that used by Olde was known as the Pea-cock equipment. A system of blind bombing using a pulse repeated carried in the aircraft. It was used first on operations in early 1943.
Sources:
FindmyPast
The National Archives Kew
Written and researched by Dorothy Dickson Ramser November 2025