Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. Rank: Warrant Officer, Class 2. Service no. R119823.
Early life:
Jack was born on November 30, 1919, at Ninette, Manitoba. His parents were Harry and Norah Henfrey, they lived at 709, 4th Avenue South, in Kenora, Ontario. Jack had two brothers and two sisters and in the years before his enlistment he worked for three years as a photography apprentice doing commercial portraits at Lakewood Studio, First Street South, Kenora, Ontario. Jack’s brother Harry was a partner in this business. He had also worked at Johnson’s Pharmacy, Kenora, Ontario, and for Bergman and Nelson Ltd, General Contractors and Builder’s supplies at Kenora in Ontario, Both companies gave letters of recommendation which stated that Jack was of a good and reliable character and recommended as an excellent citizen of the town.
War service:
He applied to serve in the R.C.A.F. on 19th February 19, 1941 but before that, he had served for one month in the Army at Fort William, Ontario, for one month, between April 19 and May 15. He eventually enlisted in the R.C.A.F. on 26th June.
His assessment described him as an athletic and confident man who was neat and clean. He was alert, confident and sincere and was assessed as ‘Above Average’ having achieved grade X at school and two years service as a high school Cadet. He had achieved part of grade XI at university. Jack was 21 years old, single, 5 feet 8 inches tall and interested in hockey, football and baseball.
Sincere and keen with a good appearance, which led to a recommendation for aircrew and officer training. He trained as a wireless operator, air gunner and received his flying badge as a sergeant in July 20, 1942. He gained temporary flight sergeant rank in January 1943 and was posted to number 32 OTU at Patricia Bay in British Columbia in May. Promoted to warrant officer class 2 in
July, he was awarded his air gunner’s badge in August. He trained on Anson and Hampden aircraft and posted to the UK in September. In October he arrived at number 82 OTU which was based at RAF Ossington for training on Wellington bombers.
Whilst serving at 82 O.T.U., he was killed as crew of Wellington Bomber BK387, on a training flight which crashed at Tewitt Hall Wood, Oakworth Yorkshire, on 2nd January 1944, killing all those aboard.
Buried at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery on 8th January. He was 24 years of age.
Jack’s great nephew Phillip Handley has regularly travelled to the annual ceremony and expressed his appreciation that Oakworth Village Society continues to remember Jack’s sacrifice.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone for Jack Henfrey.
Information sources:
Veteran’s Affairs Canada. WW2 service records.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Oakworth Village Society.
Jack’s great nephew Phillip Handley.
