1922 – 21 May 1942
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve • Malta Memorial • Panel 4, Column 1
Biography
Sergeant Reginald Kerin Hanley served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) during the Second World War. He was born in 1922 and was the son of Kathleen Mary Hanley of Wath-on-Dearne, Yorkshire, England. He attended Wath Grammar School before volunteering for service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, where he trained as an air gunner.
Following the completion of his training, Hanley was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and became part of the crew of Vickers Wellington Z8589. During May 1942 the aircraft formed part of the Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit, whose task was to ferry aircraft and experienced crews to reinforce the island of Malta during one of the most difficult periods of the siege.
On 21 May 1942 Wellington Z8589 departed Gibraltar bound for Malta. During the flight the aircraft is believed to have been affected by enemy radio deception, causing it to stray from its planned route before being intercepted by Italian night fighters operating over the Mediterranean. The bomber was attacked and badly damaged, leaving the crew with little option but to ditch the aircraft at sea.
Sergeant Hanley lost his life during the forced ditching. The remaining members of the crew survived and drifted for several days before eventually reaching the island of Filicudi, north of Sicily, where they were captured by Axis forces.
Having no known grave, Sergeant Hanley is commemorated on the Malta Memorial in Floriana. His name appears on Panel 4, Column 1 alongside almost 2,300 Commonwealth airmen who gave their lives whilst serving throughout the Mediterranean theatre during the Second World War.
Today, the Malta Memorial stands as a permanent reminder of the courage, sacrifice and dedication of those Royal Air Force and Commonwealth airmen who never returned from operations and whose final resting place remains unknown. Sergeant Hanley's name continues to be remembered both on the memorial itself and through historical projects dedicated to preserving the stories behind every name engraved upon it.
Service Information
| Full Name | Reginald Kerin Hanley |
|---|---|
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) |
| Service Number | 1059834 |
| Date of Birth | 1922 |
| Date of Death | 21 May 1942 |
| Age | 20 Years |
| Aircraft | Vickers Wellington Z8589 |
| Crew Position | Front Air Gunner |
| Unit | Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit (OADU) |
| Campaign | Second World War – Mediterranean Theatre |
| Commemorated At | Malta Memorial, Floriana |
| Memorial Panel | Panel 4, Column 1 |
Final Mission
Sergeant Hanley was serving aboard Vickers Wellington Z8589 during a reinforcement flight from Gibraltar to Malta on 21 May 1942. Malta was then enduring one of the most critical periods of the Second World War, with aircraft and experienced crews urgently required to strengthen the island's air defences.
Whilst crossing the Mediterranean the aircraft is believed to have been diverted from its intended route through enemy radio deception before being intercepted by Italian night fighters. During the ensuing attack the Wellington sustained severe damage, forcing the crew to abandon any hope of reaching Malta.
The crew successfully ditched the aircraft in the Mediterranean Sea. Sergeant Hanley lost his life during the incident, while the remaining members of the crew survived the ditching and spent almost a week adrift before eventually reaching the island of Filicudi, where they were taken prisoner.
Like many airmen who disappeared over the Mediterranean during the war, Sergeant Hanley has no known grave and is therefore commemorated on the Malta Memorial in Floriana.
The Malta Memorial
The Malta Memorial stands immediately outside the entrance to Valletta at Floriana and commemorates nearly 2,300 Commonwealth airmen who lost their lives whilst serving in the Mediterranean theatre during the Second World War and who have no known grave.
Designed by Sir Edward Maufe and unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 3 May 1954, the memorial consists of a tall column of Italian travertine marble surmounted by a gilded bronze eagle. Bronze panels surrounding the base record the names of those who never returned from operations.
Sergeant Hanley's name is engraved on Panel 4, Column 1, ensuring that his sacrifice continues to be remembered alongside thousands of fellow members of the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth Air Forces.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) was established in 1936 to supplement the regular Royal Air Force with civilian volunteers trained for wartime service. During the Second World War the RAFVR expanded dramatically and supplied the majority of aircrew serving with RAF squadrons throughout the world.
Thousands of pilots, navigators, wireless operators and air gunners serving with the RAF Volunteer Reserve took part in operations over Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean, where many made the ultimate sacrifice.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sergeant Reginald Kerin Hanley?
Sergeant Reginald Kerin Hanley served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War and died on 21 May 1942 whilst flying to Malta aboard Vickers Wellington Z8589.
Where is Sergeant Hanley commemorated?
He is commemorated on Panel 4, Column 1 of the Malta Memorial in Floriana, Malta.
Why does Sergeant Hanley have no known grave?
His aircraft was forced to ditch in the Mediterranean Sea following enemy action during a flight from Gibraltar to Malta. As no grave could be identified, he is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
What is the Malta Memorial?
The Malta Memorial commemorates nearly 2,300 Commonwealth airmen who lost their lives during the Second World War while serving throughout the Mediterranean theatre and who have no known grave.
What was the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve?
The RAF Volunteer Reserve was created to provide trained aircrew and other personnel for wartime service. During the Second World War it became the principal source of manpower for the Royal Air Force.
Research & Documentation
- Researcher: Paul Berman
- Last Updated: 2026
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