August 26

remembrance ni

Jimmy Hughes, Gunner and RBL stalwart

Colonel James Hughes with his wife Aimee and daughters Rosalynd, Alison and Fiona outside Buckingham Palace after receiving the OBE from the Queen Mother on February 15, 1961

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In 1941 he became a gunnery instructor in 220 Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, RA, and was then posted to 4 (Ulster) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA. This unit was deployed between Hove and Eastbourne and, in June and July 1944, it was credited with shooting down 88 “doodlebugs” bound for London.

In September 1944, he was part of the huge operation on Juno Beach that supported the Canadian landings in France. 4 (Ulster) LAA regiment subsequently took part in the liberation of Brussels, the defence of bridges over the Meuse during the Battle of the Bulge and operations in Holland.

Hughes was one of the first British soldiers to get inside the Belsen concentration camp and, in an interview with Ulster Television in 2004, he described his shocked disbelief at the horror of the place.

Having been promoted to major, he became a battery commander and served in that capacity in Holland and Germany. On being demobilised in 1946 he was appointed MBE.

On returning to Northern Ireland he was recommissioned into the new Territorial Army and appointed second-in-command of 247 Light Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Regiment. He subsequently served in the TA for 18 years, including periods as commanding officer of 245 (Ulster) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA (TA) and as colonel on the General Staff. In 1961 he was advanced to OBE (Military ).

In 1948 Hughes was appointed senior lecturer at Stranmillis, and in 1970 became its deputy principal. From 1948 to 1969 he was also a part-time broadcaster for BBC Northern

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He fought in World War II, was the deputy principal of a leading college, and became a household name in Northern Ireland through his role as a BBC presenter.

Ireland radio and television. Although he principally covered sport, he will perhaps be best remembered for his authoritative commentaries on the annual Twelfth of July Orange parades.

Hughes’s acute intellect, leadership skills, drive and enthusiasm were constantly in demand, and he served on 40 committees, including the Northern Ireland Youth Employment Service Board and the Northern Ireland Youth and Community Leadership Board. He was also closely associated with the work of the Boys’ Brigade. Col Hughes contributed to the work of many other voluntary and charitable organisations. He became a Knight of Justice in the order of St John in recognition of his contribution.

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He was a stalwart supporter of the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal, serving as national chairman from 1972 to 1975, and was subsequently appointed CBE.

At various times he was chairman of the Northern Ireland War Pensions’ Committee; of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Army Benevolent Fund; and of the Irish Ex-Service Trust. He was the first Briton to be appointed president of the European Region of the World Veterans’ Federation, for which he was appointed to the Légion d’honneur.

In 1939 Jimmy Hughes married Aimee Walker. They were married for 72 years. He died on August 26, 2012, aged 95. He was predeceased by his wife in June 2012. They had four daughters and had lived in the Castlereagh area. He was survived by their four daughters.

Son of Belfast surgeon won VCGeorge Campbell Wheeler was born on Apri l 7, 1880 in Yokohama, Japan. His father was originally from Belfast, Ireland and after serving in the Royal Navy as fleet surgeon took up private practice in Japan.

George Wheeler joined the British Army with a commission in 1900 as a 2nd Lieutenant

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George Campbell Wheeler's medals on the National Army Museum, Chelsea, website.

and joined the Indian Army the following year. He was a linguist and was fluent in French, German, Japanese and Hindustani.

His first regiment was the East Yorkshire Regiment, then serving in India, which was composed mainly of men from Ireland. Wheeler later joined the 2/9th Gurkhas in early 1902 and eventually reached the rank of Major.

In 1916, his Regiment sailed to Mesopotamia. On February 23, 1917 at Shumran on the River Tigris, Mesopotamia, Major Wheeler, together with one Gurkha officer and eight men crossed the river and rushed the enemy's trench in the face of very heavy fire. Having obtained a footing on the far bank, he was almost immediately counter-attacked by the enemy with a party of bombers.

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Major Wheeler at once led a charge, receiving in the process a severe bayonet wound in the head. In spite of this, however, he managed to disperse the enemy and consolidate his position. For his actions on that day, Wheeler was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest recognition in the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces. He survived the war, but died on 26/08/1938 of pneumonia after an operation and was buried at St Mary Magdalene Church, New Milton, Hampshire.

First fatalities of 9th (Londonderry) HAA RegimentThe deaths of Gunners Millar and McMeekin on this day in 1940 were the first fatalities suffered by 9th (Londonderry) HAA Regiment RA (SR) in its five years of overseas service.

Gunners John McMeekin and George Millar of 26 HAA Bty, 9th (Londonderry) HAA Regiment were gunner/telegraphists at 26 HAA Bty's gun position (No. 4 position in the Alex GDA) at Wardian on the western outskirts of Alexandria.

At 4.20am on 26 August 1940 Regia Aeronautica (Italy) bombers struck at Alexandria Harbour and were engaged by 24 HAA Bty's guns at Ras-el-Tin and 26's at Wardian. A stick of 8 bombs fell across the Wardian position, one of which exploded in the Command Post area. It was this bomb that killed Gnrs McMeekin and Millar.

Sergeant Harry O'Neill was seriously injured and lost an eye as a result of the explosion. Sergeant Norman Neilly was Mentioned in Despatches for his calm and inspiring

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behaviour in the aftermath of the attack.

On 31 August the CO of 9th Regiment, Lt Col G.L. Stanley Smith OBE, issued a Special Order of the Day:The names of Number 1449826 Gunner Millar, G., and Number 1487270 Gunner McMeakin, J., 26 AA Battery, RA, are placed at the head of the Regimental Roll of Honour.

“The Commanding Officer, on behalf of all ranks, wishes to take this opportunity of expressing his sympathy to the relatives and comrades of these men, and to record his appreciation of the magnificent spirit with which the Officers and Men of I and J Sections 26 AA Battery continued to engage the enemy after the tragedy occurred.”

Both Gunners were buried with full miltary honours that afternoon in the British Military Cemetery.

On this day - August 26 1914

At the Battle of Le Cateau the British are forced to retreat.Louvain is destroyed by the Germans.

The end of the French attempt to recover Alsace-Lorraine.L'Ecole Henri Martin, St Quentin venue for meeting betweenField Marshal French and Marshal Joffre 26 Aug 1914. Used as a POW camp in 1918. Photo below -

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Ballymena Weekly Telegraph 26th August 1916

ULSTER’S HEROIC MEN

If any evidence was wanting as to the magnificent bravery and heroism of the men of Ulster on that memorable 1st of July, our people had it on Sabbath morning last from the lips of one who was there and who is a living witness of it.

Capt the Rev. A. Gibson, chaplain to our own Central Antrim Battalion speaking from the pulpit of First Ballymena, told how they charged the German trenches. “Sometimes” he said “when the ranks were very thin, they rallied and went on, and how when they had retired and went to the trenches, perhaps having lost four fifths with those with whom they went out, the remainder rallied again and went over the top and how even after that charge when the ranks were thinner still they were willing to go again, until the message came to them to stand where they were. Surely

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nothing could be finer than that and it is to make provision for the dependants of those that fell in that glorious fight, and for those who were wholly or partially maimed in it that the present call is being made on the generosity of our people.

These men won imperishable fame for themselves and for Ulster, and it is not too much to ask that everyone throughout the town and district should see to it that neither they or those dependant on them should want.

1917Lt Rutherford, Canadian Army, was awarded the VC for his actions on August 26, 1917. While alone, he convinced 45 enemy soldiers they were surrounded and to surrender to him. Once his men caught up, they then persuaded another group of 35 enemy soldiers to surrender.

1918The Battle of the Scarpe (east of Arras) begins. The British 1st Army attacks the Germans on the River Scarpe, capturing Monchy-le-Preux (south of Scarpe) and reach the outskirts of Roeux (north of Scarpe).

1939

Hitler cancels the order for the invasion of Poland on this day. He sets a new date of the 1st September.

1940

First Canadian fighter pilot in RCAF squadron is killed in combat in the Battle of Britain.

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Eire government protests to Berlin over bombs dropped in County Wexford, killing three girls. London raided by Luftwaffe for six hours.

Hitler orders an initial redeployment of two Panzer and ten Infantry divisions from western Europe to Poland in preparation for the invasion of Russia.

1941

Anglo-Canadian and Norwegian commandos land on Spitzbergen, 370 miles north of Norway, to deny the coal mines to the Germans. They destroy installations and mining equipment and evacuate the Norwegian population.

Pierre Laval is shot and wounded by Paul Colette who is arrested.

German losses on Russian Front reach 440,000, more than in the entire war before the 22nd June 1941. Army Group North surrounds and destroys the Soviet forces in the area of Velikije Luki.

The Hungarian Army rounds up 18,000 Jews at Kamenets-Podolsk.

British troops complete the occupation of the vital Abadan oilfields in Iran.

1942

The Russians announce that their offensive along the Moscow front has pushed the Germans back 15-20 miles in a fortnight. German successes continue in Caucasus.

7,000 Jews arrested in unoccupied France.

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Two thousand Japanese land at Milne Bay, South East of Port Moresby and advance up Kokoda Trail.

1943

US bombers hit Hong Kong.

1944

The Rüsselsheim massacre - American airmen of a shot down B-24 bomber were forced to march through Rüsselsheim. The townspeople, angered by damage caused to their town by RAF bombing raids, started

attacking the airmen, beating 6 of them to death. Eleven residents of Rüsselsheim were arrested and put on trial in July 1945. On August 2, 1945, Joseph Hartgen, Johannes Siepel, Phillip Gutlich, Friedrich Wust, Johannes Opper, Margarete Witzler, and Käthe Reinhardt were found guilty and sentenced to death. The prosecutor was a young Leon

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Jaworski, who 30 years later was the head prosecutor for Watergate. After a delirious day of celebrating their city’s liberation from the Germans, Parisians are brought back to reality shortly before midnight when the Luftwaffe stages a vindictive raid that destroys a substantial part of the city’s working class neighbourhoods in the northeast.

Allied troops pour across Seine and drive East. The French liberate Tarascon and Avignon in the South of France.

Hitler orders a withdrawal from Greece. Bulgaria, Germany’s ally, withdraws from the war against Russia and declares its neutrality.

Roll of Honour - August 26

Representing their comrades who died on this day

1914

+AYER, GEORGE

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Corporal. 7988. Died 26/08/1914, at Esnes, Battle of Le Cateau, north-eastern France, just three weeks after war was declared.  His battalion had arrived in France on 23rd August and was attached to the 4th Division.He was a serving soldier when war was declared. La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France, Ballyclare WM, Kilbride Parish Church WM, Book of

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Remembrance in the Regimental Chapel in St Macartin's Cathedral, Enniskillen and St Nicholas Church Temperance LOL 782 Orange Hall, Sandy Row, Belfast.  St Nicholas' church is located on the Lisburn Road in Belfast.

+BAILIE, Hugh

South Lancashire Regiment, 2nd Btn. Private. 6981. Died 26/08/1914, of wounds in Belgium. Aged 31. He had been taken prisoner during the opening exchanges of the conflict. Hugh Bailie’s war lasted for 12 days. Son of Hugh and Martha Bailie, of 21, Wolff St., Belfast; husband to Sarah Bailie, of Toronto, Canada. La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.

+CAREY, Sylvester1st Bn. Rifle Brigade. Rifleman. 6178. Died 26/08/1914. Aged 50. He lived in and enlisted at St. Helens, Lancs. Served in the South African campaign. Son of John J. and Catherine Carey, of St. Helens, Lancs; husband to Jane Carey, of Sandy Lane, Lambeg, Co. Antrim. In August 1914 the girls’ school in Beauvois-en-Cambresis where is remains are buried was used by the Germans to accommodate British wounded.. Beauvois-en-Cambresis Communal Cemetery, Nord, France

+CARR, JamesRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Private. 6182. Died 26/08/1914 at the Marne. Son of the late William Carr. Husband to Annie Carr of John-street, Downpatrick. Father of four children. One of his brother was killed at Stormberg during the Boer War. Another brother was serving with the 3rd Royal Irish Rifles. La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.

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+GRAY, Louis

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Private. 8316. Died 26/08/1914. Aged 27. Son of Thomas and Jeannie Gray, of 19, Rossmore Avenue, Ormeau Rd., Belfast. La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France

+HARVEY, William John

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. A Coy. Private.10263. Died 26/08/1914. Age 20. Son of Thomas Douglas Harvey and Ellen Jane Harvey, of 49, Convention St., Belfast..La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France

+HOY, Samuel

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Private.10384. Died 26/08/1914. Age 19. Son of Mrs. Margaret Hoy, of 82, Newcastle St., Belfast. La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France

+KENNEY, Hugh Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 2nd Btn. Private. 9722. Died 26/08/1914. Born 28/04/1886. Son of Robert Kenny, Drumanaway, Randalstown and Jane McKenna, Groggan, Randalstown. La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.

+LYONS, John

Royal Field Artillery, 52nd Bty. Gunner. 69091. Died 26/08/1914. Age 22. Son of John and Margaret Harte, of Lurgan. Le Cateau Communal Cemetery, France

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Suda Bay war Cemetery

+McCLINTOCK, DavidRoyal Irish Rifles, 1st Btn. Rifleman. 7300. Died 26/08/1914. Born on 02/05/1884 at Broughshane Street, Ballymena. Son of Patrick McClintock and Sarah Elder who were married in St Patrick's Parish Church, Ballymena on the 11/04/1883.  The family lived at Mitchell's Entry in 1911. Twelve children were born of the marriage but only three boys survived, namely Patrick. John and Robert. Robert, 6322, also

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served. La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.

+O’DONNELL, CharlesRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Private.7171. Died 26/08/1914. He was the first man from Londonderry to die in WW1. La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.

+SCOTT, RobertRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd. Btn. Private. 8493. Died 26/08/1914 during the retreat from Mons at the Battle of Le Cateau. The Regimental History records that the battalio9n had “a position of special danger and responsibility”. On the morning of August 26, all four companies of 2nd. Royal Inniskillings were in the line. The battle opened in a misty morning after a night of drizzling rain. The Inniskillingsinflicted heavy casualties on the attacking Germans but they also suffered losses themsselves that day. The order was given to retire late in the afternoon by General Smith-Dorrien. The long march back began. Robert’s body was never found and his name is recorded among the missing on La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France. Robert was the son of Jeremiah and Jane Scott, Kenlis St., Banbridge. Seapatrick Parish Church RH, Banbridge

+TEMPLETON, James

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Private. 7613. Died 26/08/1914. Aged 29. Son of George and Agnes Templeton, Moat Road, Ballymena. Brother of Robert J, 5555, Rifleman, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, died on the 18/07/1916. Husband to

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Susan Templeton, of 327, Cupar St., Belfast. La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France

1916+FITZSIMONS, Robert

Royal Irish Fusiliers, 1st Btn. Private.10398. Died 26/08/1916. Age 25. Son of the late William and Agnes Fitzsimons, of Moyrafferty, Lurgan. Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Valley Cottages Cemetery. Belgium. Lurgan WM

+SHORT, Clements

Royal Engineers, Inland Water Transport, Sapper.156986. Died 26/08/1916. Longuenesse (St. Omer) Cemetery, France. Lurgan WM

+JAMISON, T E

Royal Irish Rifles, 12th Btn. Rifleman.17944. Died 26/08/1916. Hamburg Cemetery, Germany

1917

+BOYLE, Bernard

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 1st Btn. Private. 25847. Died 26/08/1917. Age 19. Son of Hugh and Sarah Boyle, of 24, Alfred St., Waterside, Londonderry. Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium

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+HALL, Albert Edward RN. 304367. HMS Ossory. Died 26/08/1917. Son of Ellen and James Hall. Londonderry City Cemetery. Londonderry, Diamond WM

+HANNAN, Daniel Malachy

Royal Engineers. 33rd Signal Company. Sapper. 160815 .Died 26/08/1917. Born 25/11/1896. Son of Charles and Mary Hannan, Main Street, Randalstown. Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium.

+WILKINSON, D SRoyal Flying Corps. Lieutenant. Died 26/08/1917. On the outbreak of war he returned from Canada and obtained his commission in the Cameron Highlanders. He was badly wounded, and being unfit for service in the trenches he applied for and obtained a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps, and went to France in June of 1917. He was reported missing on August 17th, and was ascertained to have died from wounds in a German hospital on August 26th. Son of Mr. J. Wilkinson, of Messrs. Wilkinson and Turtle, Alfred Street, Belfast. Kortrijk (St Jan) Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

1918

+CONNOR, Samuel

Royal Irish Rifles, 15th Btn. Rifleman.10/14312. Died 26/08/1918. Age 26 years old. Son of Elizabeth Wallace, of 47, Egmont St., Belfast. Meteren Military Cemetery, France

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+IRWIN, William Garnett Wolsley

Royal Irish Fusiliers, 9th Btn. A Coy. Serjeant. 41146. Died of wounds 26/08/1918. Age 22. Royal School Dungannon. He enlisted at Dungannon. William served as Lance Corporal in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons (Service Squadron) Service No. UD/83, and also with the 2nd Regiment North Irish Horse. Son of Charleton and Margaret Irwin, of Castle Hill, Dungannon. Arneke British Cemetery, France. Dungannon WM, St Anne’s C of I, Dungannon WM

+KELLY, Adam Gordon

North Irish Horse. Private. 71162. Died 26/08/1918. Age 28. Son of Adam and Cecilia Maria Kelly, of Armaghbreague, Keady. Born 15/05/1890 at Armaghbrague, near Keady, County Armagh, the seventh of twelve children of farmer Adam Kelly and his wife Cecilia Maria. Kelly enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Newtown in March 1914. He embarked for France on 20/01/1915 with a reinforcement draft, and was posted to A Squadron, remaining with the squadron throughout the war. In May 1916 A Squadron joined with D and E Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps until February 1918, when the regiment was dismounted and re-formed as V Corps' cyclist regiment. Kelly saw action with the regiment during the Advance to Victory offensive from 21/08/1918. He was killed in action on 26 August during the 21st Division's advance on the Ligny-Thilloy-Sars Road, and was buried near where he fell, south of the Butte de Warlencourt. After the war his body was exhumed and re-buried in the Ovillers Military Cemetery. With the body was found a 'Traffic Control Policeman' armlet, suggesting the duties he was undertaking at the time of his death.

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Kelly's older brother Andy also served during the war, with the 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion. He was awarded the Military Medal for "gallant service and devotion to duty in the field". Ovillers Military Cemetery, France

+MAGILL, HManchester Regiment. Private. 4351. Died 26/08/1918. Family Memorial Carnmoney Parish Churchyard and Carnmoney Parish RH

1940

+McMEEKIN, JohnRoyal Artillery. 9th HAA. Regt. 26 Bty. Gunner.1487270. Died 26/08/1940. Aged 30. Son of Patrick and Ann Jane McMeekin, of Ballymena. Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery

+MILLAR, GeorgeRoyal Artillery. 9th HAA. Regt. Gunner.1449826. Date of death: 26/08/1940. Date of death: 26/8/1940. Age: 20. Son of Alexander and Annie Millar of 31 Garfield Place, Ballymena. Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

1941

+HIND, Michael Christopher

RAFVR. Sergeant. 948679. Died 26/08/1941. Aged 23. 82 Sqdn. Son of James Alexander Hind and Constance Neville Hind; husband toThelma Mary Adeline Hind, of Knock, Belfast,.Runnymeade Memorial, Panel 45. QUB RH

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+MacILWAINE, John PattersonRAF. Sergeant. 1114000. Died 26/08/1941. Aged 26. Son of Robert and Janetta Macilwaine of Newtownstewart. Ardstraw Church of Ireland Churchyard

1942+CRAIG, David Leslie ThomasRAF.150 Sqdn. Flight Sergeant. 540596. Died 26/08/1942. Born in 1916, he attended Abercorn Primary School, Strabane, and the Prior School, Lifford, Co. Donegal. There, he graduated with a senior certificate. After school, he worked a series of temporary jobs, finding it difficult to get a position in his chosen career in banking. A keen sportsman, Craig played field hockey and football. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1937 due to his interest in aviation and radio communications. Following training, he spent the next two years taking part in missions in Asia before the outbreak of WW2. He was posted to 150 Sqdn at RAF Snaith, Yorkshire.While based there, he would spend time off with his brother Terry who worked in the civil service in Leeds. He also planned to marry a Welsh girl who worked as a Land Girl in Yorkshire. They had twice postponed their wedding due to the pressures of war.

Flight Sergeant Craig, a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, was on board Vickers Wellington X3414 when it took off from RAF Snaith at 2040hrs on 24/08/1942. Having completed a raid on Frankfurt, Germany, the plane was returning to base when a Luftwaffe fighter attacked at 0001hrs. Major Kurt Holler of 8 Stab III/NJG4 claimed the victory. Leslie died during the in-air battle. Other crew

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members suffered injuries and the pilot crash-landed, striking a tree. The plane came down 3km west of the village of Rienne, Belgium.

Two men survived the crash and the resulting explosion of the Wellington. Flight Sergeant James Maxwell Gibson (405442) died the following day and air gunner Sergeant F. Dolton became a Prisoner of War. Villagers in Rienne buried the three men killed in the incident. They provided a military-style funeral and tended the graves, treating the men as heroes in the fight against Nazism. On 06/02/1943, the Craig family received a report from the Air Ministry in London stating that Flight Sergeant Craig had a full military funeral on 27/08/1942. They had held on to the hope that he might be a Prisoner of War since going missing almost six months earlier. He was the son of Samuel and Amy Craig of Strabane, Co. Tyrone. Rienne Communal Cemetery, Namur, Belgium.

+WEIR, Cecil Pollock

RAF. Flight Sergeant (Wireless Op./Air Gunner). 551626. Died 26/08/1941. Aged 21. 82 Sqdn. Son of George and Maud Weir, of Portrush. Sage War Cemetery, Niedersachsen, Germany

1944

+FERGUSON, Reginal George

Royal Artillery attd. Royal Indian Artillery, 10 HAA. Regt. Major. 151881. Died 26/08/1944. Aged 37. Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar. Portora RS WM

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+KERRIGAN, David Hugh

Worcestershire Regiment, 1st Btn. Serjeant. 5250370. Died 26/08/1944. Aged 31. Son of John and E. Kerrigan, of Fivemiletown. Bayeux War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Fivemiletown WM

+WILSON, Hugh

RAFVR. Pilot Officer (Wireless Op./Air Gunner). 178769. Died 26/08/1944. 90 Sqdn. Bomber Command. The Lancaster aircraft of 90 Squadron were on a Bombing raid to the Opel Factory at Russelsheim, Germany. Durnbach War Cemetery, Bayern, Germany. Family memorial, Newtownards Cemetery.

VETERANS

BARR, Tommy Jock

Irish Guards, 1st Battalion 1 Coy 1939 -1946. Born in Larne. Died 26/08/2008, aged 93.

McGREGOR, HelenHMS Caroline. WRNS. Officer. HMS Caroline. 30/06/1946 - 07/1945. Rtd. 04/1946. Married Lt. Commander Alexander Robert Ramsey RNVR. One son, two daughters. B Belfast/Lisburn 26/08/1918. Died Toowomba, Queensland, Australia

TAGGART, Redmond Thibeaudeau

HMS Caroline. RNVR. Commander. VRD. Joined 26/08/1927. Qualified in navigation and pilotage, and later in gunnery. August 1939 appointed to Examination Service at Swansea, boarding incoming ships. November 1939 promoted Lieutenant-Commander. December 1939 Whale

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Island for gunnery course. January 1940 to HMS Cairo as additional gunnery officer. April 1940 to HMS Foylehank, a merchant ship converted to an AA cruiser. In June 1940 the ship was dive-bombed at Portland Harbour and sunk with heavy casualties.

After survival leave appointed to HMS Alynbank, another AA cruiser. In November 1940 appointed to HMS Queen Elizabeth, subsequently flagship of Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, C-in-C Mediterranean, and took part in the passage of the last through-going convoy to Alexandria. May 1941 was present at the evacuation of troops from Crete. HMS Queen Elizabeth was still based at Alexandria when she and other ships were attacked by Italian 'Charioteers' and badly damaged. At this time he was appointed Acting Gunnery Officer of the ship. Between January and June 1942, when temporary repairs were carried out the ship was the target for long and constant air

attacks although it suffered no further damage. In June she sailed for Norfolk, Virginia, via the Cape. December 1942 came home on leave and in February 1943 he was appointed to HMS Excellent, at first for gunnery duties and later to the Gunnery Book Writing Department where between then and August 1943 he Headstones at Grangegorman Cemetery, Dublin

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compiled two books on Gunnery Fire Control Instruments, leaving in August 1943 to prepare further volumes on the very complicated American Mark 37 Fire Control System (the Mark VI computer). He wrote the Admiralty manual on 15” guns. Spent 7 months in Washington studying design and construction of the Computer. April 1944 completed a book which was published in January 1945. January 1944 promoted Commander.

Known as “Bodo”, post-war he worked with the family firm WDR & RT Taggart, Architects and Civil Engineers, from 1946 to the late 1960’s. Born 01/10/1903, he died aged 84 in 1987.

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The remembrance ni programme is overseen by Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey OBE, QVRM, TD who served as Chaplain to 102 and 105 Regiments Royal Artillery (TA), as Hon. Chaplain to RNR and as Chaplain to the RBL NI area and the Burma Star Association NI. Dr McKelvey is a Past President of Queen’s University Services Club. He may be contacted at houston.mckelvey@btinternet.com

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