Navigator. Rank: Flying Officer. Service no. J25563.
Early life:
James was born on July 17, 1919 to parents Daniel and Mary McHenry of Lonsdale in Ontario. He was baptised three days later at St Mary’s Church in Marysville.
He was one of five children but his sister Margaret aged five, and brother Joseph aged two, died tragically within two days of each other in March 1923.
James attended Lonsdale public school from 1927 to 1932 and then at Deseronto High School until 1937 when he left at the age of 18.
War service:
He enlisted the next year on June 13 at Kingston, Ontario for a three year period. He was single, almost 19 years old and just short of six feet tall. He applied for training as a navigator on November 9, 1940 and was described as ‘well motivated and keen to serve overseas.’ In 1941 he qualified in medical first aid with the St. John Ambulance on December 20, and as an airframe mechanic specialising on the Oxford, Anson Harvards, Northrop and Battle aircraft types.
James was a very keen athlete and was outstanding in track and field events, having won medals for the high jump, 100 yards sprint, baseball and gymnastics. He had played softball and hockey at school and enjoyed swimming, skating and golf. With the rank of flight sergeant, James applied to remuster as aircrew on June 2, 1942 at Dartmouth, Novia Scotia and was recommended as “First class aircrew material” by his Commanding Officer on June 8. He was awarded the Air Navigator’s badge and promoted to pilot officer on April 16, 1943.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone for James McHenry.
James was described as ‘a good navigator who is very conscientious, and works hard, with a fine bearing and appearance and a splendid attitude.’ He was posted to 82 Operational Training Unit at RAF Ossington on October 12 and promoted to flying officer on October 16.
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.
Information sources:
Veteran’s Affairs Canada. WW2 service records.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Oakworth Village Society.
