Able Sea. William Collings McCluskey . Royal Navy HMS Attack (d.24th Jul 1945) William McCluskey died aged 21, he was born in 1924 in Jarrow the son of James O'Neil and Effie Mary McCluskey (nee Collings) of Jarrow.
He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the WW2 Roll of Honour Plaque in the entrance of Jarrow Town Hall.
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Ruby Phylis McClusky . Land Army My nan Irene May Bridge (nee Mullins) is collecting her medal next month for her service in the Land Army (Henlow Grange). Afternoon tea has been arrange at Henlow Grange (now a Champneys Hotel) with a small ceremony to collect her award from the Mayor of Bedfordshire. I have been asked by members of the family if I can find out about her friend Ruby Phylis McClusky. I have very few details but would appreciate any help, advice orinformation anyone can supply. The lady I am looking for is Ruby Phylis McClusky born 15/03/1930. Her last known address in 1947 was 59 Henchman Street, Old Oak Estate, East Acton, London W12. I believe that she married in the 1st Qtr of 1951 in Ealing to Cyril K Bailey. I have no further information. If you think you can help, please email me. Look forward to hearing from someone!!
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Sea. John Haynes McColgan . Royal Navy HMS Europa from Birkenhead Jack McColgan enlisted on the 5th of May 1941. He trained at HMS Ganges and served on HMS Europa, Eaglet, Miranda and Assegai.
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Donald Robert McColl . British Army Kings Liverpool from Liverpool I am trying to find out any information and looking for any photos of my Dad, Donald McColl. I know he was in the desert at the beginning of war where he was riding motorbike as I've seen a picture. He could have been in Syria or Libya also. We grew up apart and he died 1990. I would be really grateful for any info or a picture would be fantastic.
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Pte. James McColl . British Army Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from Hounslow My grandfather James McColl married my grandmother while he was stationed at the Albany Barracks on the Isle of Wight. She was a local girl.
They moved to the mainland and my grandmother had four children.
Then Grandad was captured when the 51st Highland Division surrendered at St Valerie during the Dunkirk evacuation.
Nan managed during the war with being bombed out and evacuating to Scotland to stay with granddad's famiy.
When granddad was released he stayed for a while in St Peters Hospital Chertsey and then went home. He could not settle down although Nan had two more children.
He left the family again but this time for good. I met him briefly when he was in a retirement home for soldiers when I was at college near where he was living. This was about 35 years ago.
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W/O Bud Douglas Roy McComb . Royal Canadian Air Force 415 Sqdn. (d.31st July 1942) W/O McComb was a member of 415 Squadron and was killed when his aircraft crashed after returning early from convoy protection. It had engine problems and overshot the runway. The crew were:
W/O H. McComb
F/Sgt H. Bloomfield
Sgt J. Labelle
Sgt R. Ennis
Update
W/O McComb, F/Sgt Labelle and F/Sgt Ennis are all buried in North Coates (St Nicholas) Churchyard. It looks as though F/Sgt Bloomfield may have survived as he is not listed on the CWG website.
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Rifleman Thomas McCombe . British Army 1st Btn. London Irish Rifles from Ballykelly, Northern Ireland (d.1st Mar 1944) Tommy McCombe served with 1st Btn. London Irish Rifles.
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David Ramsay McConachy . British Army Highland Light Infantry
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N. McConnachie . Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 419 Sqd.
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Janet "Jenny" McConnell . Auxiliary Terriorial Service from Maryhill, Glasgow My granny was in the ATS and we believe she was a range finder. She lived in Billingham, but was originally from Maryhill in Glasgow.
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Pte. John McConnell . British Army 6th Btn. Black Watch (d.2nd Jul 1944) John McConnell served with the 6th Battalion Black Watch and died as a prisoner of war aged 26. I was searching for the names of the soldiers in the 6th Battalion of the Black Watch Regiment. I came across records of this soldier on the website of National Archives of the UK.
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F/Lt. Robert James "Mac" McConnell . Royal Air Force 82 Squadron from Carrigans, Omagh
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F/O. Victor McConnell . Royal Air Force VR 83 Squadron from Hounslow, Middlesex (d.11th Apr 1944) I would like to tell the story of the crew of Lancaster ND389, my connection is slim, although I have spent many years researching the crew but I would like to add this in remebrance of the crew.
- P/O V. McConnell
- Sgt T/Powell
- F/O A.J.S.Watts
- Sgt H.S.Vickers
- Sgt W.Surgey
- Sgt G.H.Bradshaw
- Sgt W.J.Throsby
The first mention of the crew I have found is 13 October 1943 where they were identified as having been at 1660 Conversion unit at RAF Swinderby. Here they were learning to fly four engined bombers, having first been together as a crew on two engined aircraft, most probably a Wellington but possibly a Whitley.
On the 13/10/43 they left Swinderby to join 61 Squadron who were based at RAF Skellingthorpe outside of Lincoln. This squadron was part of 5 Group. They flew their first Operation 03/11/43 to Dusseldorf. They remained with the squadron until 30/04/44 and flew Operations to Modan, flew on operations to Berlin 5 times, plus Frankfurt, Stettin and Brunswick - so they were very much a part of what came to be known as 'The Battle of Berlin'. If they had stayed with 61 Squadron and completed 30 Operations then they would have completed a 'tour', however during this period Bomber Command was experiencing very heavy losses and the chances of a crew completing their tour was very slim - and all crews were all volunteers.
At some point whilst they were with 61 Squadron they must have volunteered to join a Pathfinder Squadron, this would have meant even more operations before they were considered to have completed their tour and as such the chance of survival became even less. They would probably have been considered as an 'above average' crew in terms of competence.
On the 3st if January 1944 they went to Pathfinder Force Navigation training unit to spend 2 weeks learning the role of a Pathfinder. They joined 83 Squadron in mid February 1944 who were part of 8 Group, and were based at RAF Wyton. As will as some familiarisation exercises at the airfield they flew a number of Operations - Leipzig, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Essen, Lille and another 2 Operations to Berlin. I believe that during late March/Early April 1944 they may have had some leave. On the 11th of April 1944 they were down for an Operation and took off at 20:46 from Wyton, flying Lancaster ND389 OL-A as part of a 341 strong Lancaster force aiming to Bomb Aachen. At approximately 22:08 a German Nightfighter Pilot took off from St Trond Airfield in his BF110, he was with Luftwaffe Nightfighter unit 4/NJG 1, his name was Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, he was a highly decorated Pilot and eventually finished the war having shot down over 120 RAF Bombers. The aircraft climbed to 5000 metres and at 23:05 the German Radar Operator got a signal, which turned out to be Lancaster ND389, the aircraft moved closer, behind and probably slightly under the aircraft where it could not be seen and at 23:15 opened fire on the Lancaster. It appears that it was a very successful attack and took the crew by complete surprise (it was possible that Schnaufer was using up ward slanted guns known as 'Schrage Musik'). The aircraft caught fire immediately and according to my eyewitness started to burn quite fiercely. As it was on its way 'in' it would have been still carrying a heavy load of fuel and bombs. Sadly it appears that at some point the crew all bailed out the aircraft but were too low for their parachutes to open, the Lancaster apparently blew up 100 metres above the ground (but that must have been hard to judge). The aircraft crashed north of Beerse in Belgium at a place called Boensberg. After about 15 minutes after the crash, a car was heard to be approaching, initially it was thought that this would be Germans but was apparently the Chief of Police from Turnhout, a religious father and a nurse. They asked where the crew were, who were apparently were sadly already dead by this point. The father apparently administered the 'last rites' and about 1 hour later apparently the Germans arrived and placed barriers around the plane to ensure no one approached it (although the aircraft had broken up in the explosion.) The crew were initially buried near a German Airfield and then taken Schoonselhof Cemetery in Antwerp where they now lie. The final note in the Operational Record Book for the Squadron on this crew notes that 'the crew were well liked and very promising'
I have all the Operational Record Books for 83 Squadron during WW2 and would very much like to hear from anyone connected.
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Cpl. James George Randolph McConney . British Army 1st Airborne Royal Corps of Signals from Harrogate, Yorkshire (d.28th March 1943) James McConney is my uncle George who enlisted underage. He was a paratrooper participating in the African campaign in Tunisia, killed when he stepped on a mine. The only son and last child of four, my grandmother was devastated. We discovered his resting place through Ancestry and have since received pictures of his headstone and the cemetery itself.
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Cpl. James George McConney . British Armt 1st Airborne, Signals Royal Corps of Signals from Harrogate, Yorkshire (d.28th March 1943) George McConney was the only son of Jonathan Randolph McConney and Ivy Eleanor Steele, born in London on 17th June 1922. According to his sister Violet, my mum, he was a paratrooper. He was participating in the North African theatre in Tunisia when he stepped on a mine on 28th March 1943. He is laid to rest at the Tabarka Ras Rajel war cemetery. He was awarded the 1939-45 War Medal and Star.
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Frederick James McConway . British Army Royal Artillery from Belfast My grandad servedin the 8th Army Desert Rats, Royal Artillery.
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Sgt. Edward Alexander McCord . Royal New Zealand Air Force (d.15th Oct 1942) Sergeant (Wireless Op./Air Gunner) Edward McCord was the Son of John and Frances Maria McCord of Aughintemple.
He was 26 when he died whilst taking part in a cross country flying exercise in a Wellington DV717, the plane crashed at Breke farm, Maypole Beck, Nottinghamshire at 20:55 on 15th October 1942, with the loss of the entire crew.
He is buried in Grave B.16 in the Ardagh Cemetery, Ardagh, Co. Longford, Ireland.
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Sgt. Howard W. McCord . United States Army 81mm Mortar Platoon 38th Arm. Inf. Btn. from USA I served with 81mm Mortar Platoon, 38th Arm. Inf. Btn., 7th Arm. Division, United States Army.
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Pte. James "Hamish" McCorkindale . British Army 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders from Paisley I have received confirmation from the ICRC that my father, James McCorkindale, was held as a prisoner of war in Stalag XX/A following his capture at St Valerey on the 12th of June 1940.
He arrived at Stalag XX/A on the 9th of July following his transfer from a transfer camp. Known as Hamish he was a Bren gunner in the Seaforth Highlanders 2nd, service number 2823104, which formed part of the BEF.
He was originally from Paisley and was a groom /chauffeur before the war.
Sadly, he passed away in September 1970. Like many other men who were held with him he very rarely spoke of his time in captivity but regularly said that his time on the farms and the families whom he worked for were bearable. If anyone recognises his name or has heard it mentioned in conversations with their loved ones I would be delighted to hear from you.
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Sq.Ldr. David William McCormack DFC & Bar. Royal Australian Air Force 615 Sqdn. from Victoria, Australia (d.10th August 1944) Historial Document:
Recorded from Flying Officer F.P.Fahy NZ411980 RNZAF and RAF 615. Fighter Squadron Pilots Log Book
(BAF Personnel Bureau (NZ) Assn.Doc.A1)
On the 10th August 1944, all of our aircraft RAF 615 (County of Surrey) Fighter Squadron were flying from Palel in Assam to Baigachi, Bengal. We where about 80 miles east of Calcutta when we flew into a monsoon storm.
I saw the C.O.'s Section disappear above me and I glanced in the cockpit, my instruments had, had it. There was no visability and none of the plane's controls were working. I made up my mind that it was time I parted company with the aircraft. This wasn't easy, the hook stuck and I had a hell of a job. Finally, it came away and to the right mainplane about three feet from the centre-section. Hell's teeth I thought I had been in a hurry up until then, but I really got going now. In fact I jumped out helmet and all plugged in. I must have swung like a pendulum going around for a few seconds, that seemed like hours, waiting for the thud of the ground, when I felt a jerk.
I looked up and from that moment on I have a passion for mushrooms. There above me was the chute letting me down and the chute began to fold in and spill air. I pulled on the rigging lines, as I had been told and was able to control the rate of descent. It was about 20 seconds before I saw the ground or should I say river. Yes, I landed up to my neck in water. I was helped by natives to shelter. After an hour's rest, I heard news of another pilot who was a few villages away who had been injured. I was able to get to him later that day and a sampan took us to the nearest motorable road. We arrived in Calcutta the following day. Here we received news that the C.O. had been killed and three others. Eight of the other machines got through safely after being sucked right out of the cloud into brilliant sunshine. An L.A.C. at Ops was able to vector them in safely. This airman for his wide awake action received a Mention in Despaches. The C.O.'s body was the only body recovered as it was thought the others were in an area that it would not be possible. So, these were posted missing believed killed.
The C.O. was buried in Calcutta. He was thought so much of by his Squadron, that a letter was sent to his mother asking what she would like as a memorial to him. Funds were raised and a stainless glass window is now installed in the church in his home town in Australia.
He was held responsible for the accident by a court of enquiry, but I still wonder if it was an error on his part. Three pilots bailed out successfully and one force-landed.
Casualty List 10th August 1944
Lost SQD Leader D McCormack DFC & Bar RAAF (Killed)
F/O W S Bond RCAF (Missing believed killed)
F/O M Pain RAAF (Missing believed killed)
W/O Chappell RAAF (Missing believed killed)
Bailed Out
Flying Officer Costain RAF (Broken leg)
F/O Armstrong RCAF (Dislocated knee cap)
F/O F.P.Fahy RNZAF (Twisted knee)
Force landed
F/O Watson RAF (Unhurt)
8 other Squadron aircraft and pilots landed safely.
'LEST WE FORGET'
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Mary Patricia McCormack . Civilian from Belfast I would be interested in anyone who worked in Swynnerton from 1942 to 1944 approximately and who may remember Mary Patricia McCormack from Belfast, aged 23-25. She also played the piano and sang and frequented Nelson Hall quite a lot. Does anyone remember her?
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Sgt R McCormack . RAF 166 Sqn
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F/Sgt. R. McCormack . 97 Squadron
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Pte. Thomas McCormack . British Army No 2 Commando from Liverpool (d.11th April 1944) Thomas McCormack served with the 1st Btn Liverpool Scottish (Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders) and No 2 Commando. He was seriously injured during the Commando raid on St Nazaire (France) in 1942 and was buried in my town (Rennes, France). I am looking for information, could you help me?
Update
My great uncle was a member of the Guard of Honour at Thomas McCormack's funeral, one of four captured allied servicemen who attended. Thomas McCormack was buried with full military honours by the German Forces. After the funeral McCormack's grave was a mass of flowers and these were renewed for many days afterwards by the French people of Rennes. (Robert Allwood)
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Ann Theresa "Patsy" McCormick . Auxiliary Territorial Service from Ham, Orkney Ann McCormick was stationed in Orkney during WW2. She got married to my father Thomas Shearer who was from Orkney. He was in the Navy on the minesweepers. Her best friend's name was Nellie. That's all I know. Maybe someone knows the names?
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L/Cpl. Peter McCormick . British Army from Lochgilphead, Argyll Whilst looking through my late mother's letters, I found postcards from her father, L/Cpl Peter McCormick, sent from Stalag VIIIB. He was in the camp from approx March 1941 until approx June 1943.
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R Mccormick . British Army Royal Artillery R Mccormick served with the Royal Artillery British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Dvr. Ronald McCormick . British Army 10th General Transport Company. Royal Army Service Corps from Middlesborough My father. Ron enlisted on 15th July 1943 lying about his age to enlist.He was demobbed at York on 11th August 1947.Although I have no verifiable facts family tradition tells that on D=Day he landed at Juno Beach with the Canadians driving a Colonel. At the very end of the war he was shot by a sniper in Arnhem and was recovering in a convent when he found out that the war was over. I have heard that he drove on the Redball Express although I have only just started researching his war records.Ron passed away in 1977.
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T Mccormick . British Army Royal Armoured Corps T Mccormick served with the Royal Armoured Corps British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Sgt. William McCormick . British Army Royal Artillery from Campbeltown, Argyll Looking through my late mother's letters, I found a few postcards sent to her from Stalag 383 and XXIA from her uncle, Sgt. William McCormick. The cards from XXIA are dated September 1941 to June 1942. The cards from 383 are dated August 1943 and November 1944. I know that Sgt. McCormick received a Gallantry Award, but I don't know which one.
2976691 Sgt William McCormick served with the Royal (Field) Artillery during WW2 and was a Prisoner of War for most of the war years.
POW Numbers Stalag XXIA and Stalag 383 5209 (598)Hohenfels, Rhineland-Palatinate.
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