Details of Irish VC winners in WW2 ?

PatsytheNazi

I have heard that 8 men from Ireland won Victoria Crosses in WW2 ? I believe that 7 of them were from the south ? If true can anyone give any details with a link about them ?

( I'm interested in men actually from Ireland who won it, not English born fellows with Irish souding names in the Irish Guards etc)

jonniebgood1

Donald Garland from wicklow.

Flying Officer Garland was the pilot and Sergeant Gray the observer of the leading aircraft of a formation of five aircraft that attacked a bridge over the Albert Canal which had not been destroyed and was allowing the enemy to advance into Belgium. All the aircrews of the squadron concerned volunteered for the operation and, after five crews had been selected by drawing lots, the attack was delivered at low altitude against this vital target. Orders were issued that this bridge was to be destroyed at all costs. As had been anticipated, exceptionally intense machine gun and anti-aircraft fire was encountered, and the bridge area was heavily protected by enemy fighters. In spite of this the formation successfully delivered a dive bombing attack from the lowest practicable altitude and British fighters in the vicinity reported that the target was obscured by the bombs bursting on it and in its vicinity. Only one aricraft returned from this mission out of the five concerned. The pilot of this aircraft reports that in addition to the extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire, through which our aircraft dived to attack the objective, they were also attacked by a large number of enemy fighters after they had released their bombs on the target. Much of the success of this vital operation must be attributed to the formation leader; Flying Officer Garland, and the coolness and resource of Sergeant Gray, who navigated Flying Office Garland’s aircraft under most difficult conditions in such a manner that the whole formation was able succesfully to attack the target in spite of subsequent heavy losses. Flying Officer Garland and Sergeant Gray unfortunately failed to return from the mission.

Flying Officer Garland’s Victoria Cross is publicly displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, United Kingdom.
Concerning the death of Garland there’re several versions. Some sources mention that he crashed down in the place of Lanaken, Belgium. Other sources mention that he died after his action in a hospital in Maastricht. The 3rd crew member did not become distinguishes, because he did not play a decisive role during this action.
Donald Edward Gardland is buried at the Heverlee War Cemetery near Louvain

http://www.ww2awards.com/person/58

Most of the Irish recipients had alot of links with the UK through parents, birthplace and education.

jonniebgood1

Actually I think details of all recipients are on that site at http://www.ww2awards.com/person.asp?id=39&abc=L

It includes other awards also

Corsendonk

PatsytheNazi wrote: »

I have heard that 8 men from Ireland won Victoria Crosses in WW2 ? I believe that 7 of them were from the south ? If true can anyone give any details with a link about them ?

( I'm interested in men actually from Ireland who won it, not English born fellows with Irish souding names in the Irish Guards etc)

I couldn't find 8 born on the island of Ireland , only 5 born in the south and one in the north. 2 others were born with both parents Irish and one of these grew up in Ireland.

Southern Ireland VC Winners in WW2

1. James Jackman- Dublin- Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
   http://www.ww2awards.com/person/81
2. Richard Kelliher- Tralee- Australlian Imperial Force
   http://www.awm.gov.au/people/8270.asp
3. David Lord- Cork- RAF
   http://theairbornesoldier.com/davidlord.html
4. Donald Garland- Wicklow- RAF
   Info already provided by Johnny
5. Marcus Ervine Andrews- Cavan- East Lancashire Regiment
   http://www.qlrmuseum.co.uk/East%20Lancashires.htm
   
   
   
   Northern Ireland

James McGennis- Belfast- Royal Navy
http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbmagenn.htm

Possible Inclusion
Eugene Esmonde * born in Yorkshire of Irish parents and grew up in Ireland.
http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbesmone.htm

Edward Fegen- *born in Hampshire of Irish parents. His VC was awarded on recommendation of the enemy.
http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/vc/fegen.htm