187

NZ41992 Flight Lieutenant Henry Joseph MEHARRY.
Parents Mr. & Mrs D.K. MEHARRY of ONEHUNGA.

Henry Meharry was born at Reefton on the 6th July, 1917. He received his secondary education at the Takapuna Grammar School and passed the University Entrance Examination. He afterwards continued by night classes at the Seddon Memorial Technical College and was successful in gaining the Batchelor of Commerce degree. He played rugby for Takapuna Grammar School and Grafton Senior XV, and also took part in tennis, swimming and golf. After leaving school he accepted employment with J.W. Bayley & Co. Ltd., Merchants of Auckland, and was still employed there when making application for enlistment in aircrew, on the 14th June, 1940.

Flight Lieutenant Meharry was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 9th February, 1941, and proceeded to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training Harewood on the 23rd March for his elementary flying training and thence on the 3rd May to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, Blenheim. Here on the 20th July, 1941, he was awared the flying badge and promoted ot Sergeant. He was commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer on the 1st May 1942, promoted to Flying Officer on the 1st November 1942 and to Flight Lieutenant on the 1st May 1944. Meanwhile on the 11th September 1941 he had embarked for Malaya.

Flight Lieutenant Meharry arrived in Singapore on the 11th October, on posting to No. 488 (R.N.Z.A.F.) Squadron which was at the time in the course of formation there, at Kallang. Whilst with this Squadron he flew Buffalo and Hurricane aircraft, and took in part in several actions against the enemy. Following the evacuation at Malaya he returned to New Zealand disembarking on the 31st March, 1942. He was posted to Masterton and served there until No. 14 Fighter Squadron was formed at Whenuapai on the 16th February 1943. He moved with the Squadron to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides and flew with this Squadron during its two tours in the Solomons. During his second tour in the Solomons he destroyed a (was Teke) Zeke in combat over Rabaul.

Flight Lieutenant Meharry returned with this Squadron to Ardmore during January, 1944 and embarked for the United Kingdom on the 27th