Remembering McIrish

[McIrish]

Today is the 94th anniversary of the death of Captain George McElroy of 40 Squadron. Please spare a moment of thought for this brave and big hearted Irishman. A candle was lit for him in my church this morning. Gone but not forgotten.

Sean McElroy

[Barry Hickson]

Originally Posted by McIrish

Today is the 94th anniversary of the death of Captain George McElroy of 40 Squadron. Please spare a moment of thought for this brave and big hearted Irishman. A candle was lit for him in my church this morning. Gone but not forgotten.

Sean McElroy

I will raise a glass in his Memory. R.I.P.

[Joe M]

Originally Posted by McIrish

Today is the 94th anniversary of the death of Captain George McElroy of 40 Squadron. Please spare a moment of thought for this brave and big hearted Irishman. A candle was lit for him in my church this morning. Gone but not forgotten.

Sean McElroy

Hi Sean,
I cannot think of a better reason to raise a glass of wine in honor of George McElroy. An Irish man born on the 14th of May 1893 in Donnybrook, Dublin and a 46 victory ace.


Ar dheis Dē go raibh a hanam dilis.

For those of you who don't speak Irish (May his soul be at the right hand side of God.)

Happy Hunting

Joe M

[Bulldog90]

I had a Black and Tan tonight in George's honor!

Bulldog90

[Airshipped]

Of the other Irish aces with an August connection:

Francis Dominic Casey was killed on 10-Aug-1917;
Oscar Heron was killed in an air crash on 05-Aug-1933;
Forde Leathley died on 25-Aug-1982.

Eugene Owen Cruess Callaghan, brother of the ace Joseph C Callaghan, was killed on 27-Aug-1916.

Of the non-ace, plain vanilla Irish aviators with an August connection there'd be too many to mention, but here are a few from my spreadsheet with the surname beginning with 'B':

William Claud Kennedy Birch was born in India on 24-Aug-1891;
Gerard Lovell Backhouse was killed on 02-Aug-1916;
Joseph Bamford was killed on 20-Aug-1917;
Manchester-born Gerald Benedict Barre was killed on 09-Aug-1918;
Cecil Barry was killed on 21-Aug-1917;
William Beirne died of wounds on 18-Aug-1918;
Henry Boyd was killed on 25-Aug-1918;
Thomas Brownrigg was killed on 21-Aug-1918.

McElroy will always remain special though, as it's unlikely any aviator (let alone an Irish one) will ever get to achieve 7 aerial victories, not to mention 47).