Herbert William Patrick Hainey was born on April 22, 1919, in Washington. He was the son of Charles Raymond Hainey and Marie Ann Merkling Hainey.

Herbert served as a Flying Officer/Pilot with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 613 Squadron during World War II. On October 14, 1942, the 613 Squadron pilot of Mustang AG509 was undertaking a navigational training flight when he encountered bad weather over the Pennines. He became lost and flew over hills that were covered in low clouds. Thirty-five minutes into the flight the aircraft flew into the ground flew into high ground near Langcliffe Scar, to the east of Settle at 11.35hrs. Sadly, the pilot lost his life and the aircraft was destroyed.

Mustang AG509 was built to B.P.C. Contract A-250 by North American Aviation at Inglewood, Dallas, and was shipped to the UK, arriving at Liverpool in February 1942. It was then transported by road to No. 1 A.A.U. at Speke for assembly and testing and then placed into MU storage until June 1942. In June 1942, it was taken on charge by 613 Squadron at Twinwood Farm who later moved to Ouston on 28th August 1942. As a result of the crash near Settle on October 14, 1942, Cat.E2/FA Burnt was recorded and the aircraft was written off.

Herbert was initially buried in Stamfordham Churchyard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 19th October 1942. His remians were later re-interred he is now buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. He is also commemorated in the Maidenhead Register.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk