Irish Ace - Patrick Langan-Byrne

I am looking for information on the Irish air ace - Patrick Langan-Byrne.
He was born in Clogherhead Co Louth Ireland in 1895.
Would any of your web visitors be able to give me any more details, my
grandfather ( Byrne) came from the area, and I am trying to establish if there
is a family link.
With many thanks.
Madeleine O'Rourke

[Graeme]

There's not much been written about Langan-Byrne and what has been written seems contradictory. Most records say he was born in Clopherhead, County Leath (I suspect this should be Clogherhead, County Louth, Eire) and was commissioned in the Royal Artillery before transferring to the RFC. He joined 24 Squadron on 11 August 1916 and is credited with 10 victories between 31 August and 16 October 1916, being shot down and killed on this date by Oswald Boelcke for his 34th victory. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the citation appearing in the London Gazette of 14 November 1916. Award citations for most fighter pilots gave the pilot's 'score' up to the date of the citation but Langan-Byrne's merely states that he had gained 'several' victories. I have not seen a date of birth recorded but since he was said to have been 21 years of age when he was killed, he was presumably born in 1895.

Graeme, many thanks for the information.
In Ireland we do not have a Clopherhead Co Leath, but we do have
a Clogherhead in Co Louth. So this must be the correct location!
I will have a look in the local Birth records in the next few weeks and see
if this location and date can be confirmed as his birthplace.
Would I be able to get further information from the PRO in London regarding
his background?
All the best for 2001.
Madeleine

[Frank_Olynyk]

The microfilm collection Air76 in the PRO will have further details of his career, including (usually) the date of birth. It should also have dates of enlistment, units assigned to and their dates (training & operational), awards with Gazette dates, address and/or parents address. This material has only been released within the last few years. There are several hundred rolls of microfilm, and an index volume on the shelves in the microfilm room.

Frank.

[Graeme]

The PRO catalogue is on-line at http://catalogue.pro.gov.uk/listint/default.asp

There's something like 8.5 million items listed so it might be a while before you get to the information you want. Well worth a visit though.

Happy New Year Graeme