The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H D P Dyer

Henry David Patrick Dyer was born at Paeroa, North Island on 4th May 1919, the son of Thomas Henry Dyer and Catherine Ann Dyer (nee Stewart).

His father was a policeman.

In March 1939 he applied for a short service commission but was unsuccessful. He volunteered for aircrew at the outbreak of war.

Dyer reported to the Ground Training School Weraroa on 12th March 1940 and moved to 2 EFTS New Plymouth on 8th April. He did not progress during pilot training and remustered as an air gunner.

After a gunnery course at the Air Observers School Ohakea, Dyer sailed for the UK in the RMS Rangitata on 7th June 1940.

After arriving he was posted to 5 OTU Aston Down on 30th July and after completing his training and being awarded his air gunners badge he joined 600 Squadron at Redhill on 21st September.

With the advent of airborne radar and the arrival of Beaufighters, the air gunners were flying less and less. In late 1940 those not wishing to retrain, Dyer among them, were transferred to Bomber Command.

He was posted to 11 OTU Bassingbourn on 6th February 1941. He crewed-up, converted to Wellingtons and joined 218 Squadron at Marham, Norfolk on 19th April.

On the night of 15th/16th July 1941 his Wellington IC R1536 HA-G was shot down by a night fighter during a raid on Duisburg. All the crew were killed:

F/Lt. J Stokes
P/O LW Parfitt
Sgt. A Glover
Sgt. JH Storey
Sgt. F Wood

Dyer is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery.

Above image courtesy of Michael Beckers.