The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. F G Hindrup

Frederick George Hindrup was born in Dannevirke, North Island, New Zealand on 24th May 1914, the son of Frederick John Hindrup and Dorothy Hindrup.

His father, Rifleman FJ Hindrup, was killed in France on 26th August 1918, serving with the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, aged 28. He is buried in Vaulx Cemetery, France.

FG Hindrup was working for New Zealand Railways when he volunteered for the RNZAF at the outbreak of war.

Hindrup reported to the Ground Training School at Weraroa on 16th January 1940. In February he was posted to the Air Observers School Ohakea for a gunnery course. He sailed for the UK on 7th June in the RMS Rangitata.

After arriving on 20th July Hindrup went to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge to await a posting. On 30th July he went to 5 OTU Aston Down, completed his training, gained his Air Gunners badge and joined 600 Squadron on 21st September.

With the advent of the Beauflghter and the increasing use of airborne radar, air gunners were doing little flying by the end of 1940. With others, Hindrup asked to go to Bomber Command and in February 1941 he was posted to 11 OTU Bassingbourn. He converted to Wellingtons and in March he joined 99 Squadron at Waterbeach.

On the night of 20th/21st April 1941 Hindrup took off on his tenth operational flight, an operation to Cologne in Wellington T2997. At 01.20 hrs the aircraft collided with a barrage balloon over Harwich, burst into flames and crashed into the sea 3000 yards offshore from Felixstowe.

Hindrup's body was later recovered from the sea and he was reported as 'Killed in Action'. Hindrup is buried in Felixstowe Cemetery, Suffolk.

Also lost were:

P/O RM Morrow RNZAF
P/O WE Bowden
P/O FH Cook
Sgt. BM Evans
Sgt. MAJ Savage

Above image courtesy of http://www.nzwargraves.org.nz