Studio portrait of Flying Officer (FO) Arthur William Lehdey, 458 Squadron. Lehdey, born 24 June ...

Studio portrait of Flying Officer (FO) Arthur William Lehdey, 458 Squadron. Lehdey, born 24 June 1914 at Lithgow, NSW, enlisted on 11 October 1941 and after training, embarked for service in England. Here, he was assigned to 458 Squadron as a pilot on Wellington bombers. Formed on 10 July 1941, 458 Squadron was equipped with Wellington Mk IV bombers in August 1941, and moved to the Middle East in March 1942. Due to poor planning, elements of the squadron were scattered among at least eight squadrons and stations desperate for men and equipment. The squadron was not properly reformed until August 1942, at Shallufa, where they were issued with the upgraded Wellington Mk VIII. The squadron moved north with the invasion of Italy and by war's end were flying Wellington Mk XIVs out of Foggia and later, Gibraltar. Lehdey's crew are recorded as flying Wellington Mk XIV, serial number NB891. FO Lehdey was discharged from service on 21 December 1945. His flying helmet and uniform are held in the Memorial's collection at REL42368 and REL42369 respectively. See also P09483.002 and P09483.004.

• Crew of Wellington Mk XIV bomber NB891 of 458 Squadron, RAAF. The message on the verso of the ...
• A 458 Squadron (RAAF) Vickers Wellington Mk XIV, F for Freddy, serial NB891, in flight over ...
• Informal portrait of 420213 Flying Officer Arthur William Lehdey, 458 Squadron, doing his laundry ...