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John, David and Gaven Henry RAAF. 103 Sqdn
It must have been very unusual for three brothers to serve on the same squadron in the war if not unique. It certainly is unique for three brothers to serve on the same squadron at the same time albeit for a brief period. This was achieved by three brothers from Australia who flew with 103 squadron in 1944/45.
John, David and Gaven Henry came from Armidale, New South Wales, Australia and all three trained to become pilots and were sent to Britain. John, the eldest, was referred to as Mk1 with David Mk2 and Gaven ,the youngest, Mk3. John and David were already with 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds and had nearly completed their tours when younger brother Gaven arrived. It was arranged that all three were to fly on the same operation to Cologne and but special permission had to be obtained from the King himself as it normally totally prohibited for brothers to fly on the same operation. They completed the operation successfully and this event was reported in the national press several days later.
Above - All three Henry brothers enjoying tea and a sandwich 1944.
John, David and Gaven all survived the war and John remained a pilot and had a long and distinguished flying career as a test and civilian pilot. He was killed in a car crash on his way to an Air Force reunion in April 1978.
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