I have a copy of Ivor Halstead’s ‘Wings of Victory’, published in 1940. It bears the ownership inscription on the flyleaf ‘Sergeant W.B. Henn R.A.F.V.R. (501 Sqdn) Jan 1941’. It also has annotations by Sgt. Henn to the text and plates, including the underlining of a sentence claiming the Spitfire had ammunition for 40 seconds firing and a note in the margin – ‘?!?? 11 secs.’
So far, I have been able to discover that William Bryan Henn gained his certificate in 1938, flew with 501 during the Battle of Britain, and by the end of the war was a Flt/Lt with an Air Force Cross. He died in 1978.
Does anybody out there have more on his record with the RAF? Ideally, of course, I’d love to see a picture 🙂
Thanks for any help anyone can give – this is my most precious old book, for obvious reasons.
By: Eye on the Sky - 31st March 2025 at 15:04
The following is from the Kenneth G. Wynn book, Men of the Battle of Britain:
“137301, Sgt Pilot, British, 501 Squadron.
Born October 22 1917, Henn was a civilian flying club instructor before the war. His flying experience enabled him to join the RAF in October 1939 as an airman u/t Pilot (906097).
After completing his training, he joined 501 Squadron at Kenley in August 1940. Henn claimed a He111 destroyed on August 30. He was shot down and wounded on September 2, after which he lost his operational flying category because of burns.
Henn was posted to Alberta, Canada as a flying instructor. Commissioned in September 1942, he returned to England in 1943 and went to RAF Transport Command, still as a flying instructor.
Awarded the A.F.C (1.1.45), Henn was released from the RAF in 1947,as a Flight Lieutenant. He joined BEA as a Captain, retired in 1968 and then joined the CAA as Flight Operations Inspector. Henn died on December 19 1978.
P.O 16.9.42 F.O 16.3.43 F.L 16.9.44″
No images unfortunately. This is without doubt one of the most used books in my collection, not cheap, but worth every penny.
Hope this fills in the gaps.
Best wishes,
Dean
By: Beermat - 31st March 2025 at 15:03
Thank you so much, Dean.
This forum just gets better and better, thanks to helpful folk like yourself. Much appreciated.
By: gedburke3 - 2nd November 2011 at 15:55
Hi Simon,
I would certainly appreciate a photograph of him so that he can be included in the new edition of Men of the Battle of Britain.
I won’t contact your father directly as he may be inundated with requests.
Many thanks in advance
Gerry
By: gedburke3 - 2nd November 2011 at 15:55
Hi Simon,
I would certainly appreciate a photograph of him so that he can be included in the new edition of Men of the Battle of Britain.
I won’t contact your father directly as he may be inundated with requests.
Many thanks in advance
Gerry
By: simonc1990 - 2nd November 2011 at 13:51
i think youll be intersted
hello, my name is simon, after reading this post i thought it would be nessercary to get in touch, as my father has sgnt henn’s original log books from when he first gratuated as a pilot to when he stopped flying, including his original battle of britain logs!, im sure you will be interested in this so please call my father who is paul childs, on 01278 429233!!
he will be able to provide all the information im sure you will require to futher your investigation.
many thanks simon
By: simonc1990 - 2nd November 2011 at 13:51
i think youll be intersted
hello, my name is simon, after reading this post i thought it would be nessercary to get in touch, as my father has sgnt henn’s original log books from when he first gratuated as a pilot to when he stopped flying, including his original battle of britain logs!, im sure you will be interested in this so please call my father who is paul childs, on 01278 429233!!
he will be able to provide all the information im sure you will require to futher your investigation.
many thanks simon
Sign In
January 10, 2010 at 10:46 am