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JULY 14
remembrance ni
Joe Cunningham’s Icebird Vertue 45
Portrush naval doctor who sailed Atlantic both ways single handed
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Joseph Irwin Cunningham, RNVR Surgeon Lt. Cmdr. MBE (Military), was born in on this day in 1916 and graduated MB BCh from QUB in 1938.
He served on destroyers and cruisers during the Battle of the Atlantic, North Russian Convoys, and the Mediterranean. He was
decorated by King George VI for heroism at Flensburg, where the ammunition dump exploded a few days after the war ended. As a physician he put his life in great danger to save the lives of others, who shortly before had been his enemies.
Following VE Day he was reassigned to the Pacific theatre. He was en route when the war ended, but as a result made his first visit to Victoria, BC.
Post war he worked in Newfoundland and the wilds of northern Manitoba, Hudson Bay and Resolute Island.
Born only a few yards from the sea, he always loved the ocean and sailing. He sailed single-handed across the Atlantic in 1952 (westward) and 1957 (eastward) in his 25 1/2 foot boat, Icebird, becoming the first Canadian and only third in the world to do so in both directions. His last boat was named “Swan of Moyle”.
At the end of the fifties he "settled down" as one of the doctors and a member of the diplomatic corps in various Canadian Embassies overseas.
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In Vienna, Austria, he met his beloved wife, Edith, whom he married in 1958 in Salzburg. Their first home was on the aptly named Paradise Walk in London. After moves to Germany, Finland, Holland, Austria and Scotland, and now with four sons, they settled in Victoria in 1972.
He had a strong faith and loved to serve as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Canada. He was described as, “A wonderful father, loving husband, distinguished veteran, sailing pioneer, respected elder, man of humility, integrity and great faith.”
Born Portrush 14/07/1916 to William Irwin Cunningham and Margaret Cunningham (nee Irwin). Pre-deceased by his wife Edith, he died 15/11/2009. He was survived by his four sons, Dr.Johann, Dr.William, Dr. Erik, and Rev. Irwin, as well as his eleven grandchildren. Uncle of John Irwin, Killinchy, Co.Down. (The Times Colonist from Nov. 20/21, 2009).
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On this day - July 14
1917The German Zeppelin L43 is destroyed by naval forces in the North Sea.
1940
Submarine HMS Salmon was lost with all hands (39 men) off south-western Norway on or around this date. Cause of loss unknown, but she probably struck a mine after being routed across a German minefield of which the Admiralty were unaware.
Bastille Day in France declared ‘day of meditation’, de Gaulle and Free French lay wreaths at Cenotaph in London.
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Churchill broadcasts that Hitler must recast his invasion plans.
British commandos launch a raid against Guernsey in the Channel Islands, with negligible results.
A force of German bombers attacks Suez, Egypt, from bases in Crete.
1941
Believing the campaign in the East soon to be concluded in Germany’s favour, Hitler orders the German war industry to shift production away from guns and armored vehicles to U-boats and planes.
Army Group North is now only 80 miles from Leningrad.
An armistice is signed at Acre between Vichy and British/Free French forces. This requires all French material to be handed over to the British and gives the Vichy French the choice of joining the Free French or returning to France. Most opt for the latter. During the campaign the Vichy French suffered 3,350 killed or wounded, while the
British and Free French lost about 2,400 men.
1942
A program in occupied France begins. In 3 days 15,000-18,000 Jews are arrested and sent to concentration camps.
Beginning of deportation of Dutch Jews to Auschwitz.
Final losses for PQ17 are 24 out of 35 ships sunk.
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The advance by Army Group A towards Rostov continues against minimal Soviet resistance.
A British attack against axis positions to the South of El Alamein is repulsed.
1943
RAF Coastal Command begins daily patrols over the Bay of Biscay with aircraft equipped with new detection devices
to locate and destroy German U-boats leaving and entering their bases on the French coast.
Joining in the counter-offensive by the Central, Bryansk and Western Fronts, the Soviet Voronezh Front launches
attacks against the 4th Panzer Army and Army Detachment Kempf in the southern sector of the Kursk salient.
British and German paratroops fight for key Primosole bridge in Sicily.
1944
Hitler leaves Berchtesgaden for the last time.
A new Russian offensive begins in the northern Ukraine opens with massive support from the Red Air Force and gains up to 10 miles and recaptures Pinsk.
1945
The first Bastille Day for five years is celebrated enthusiastically by the French.
The U.S. Third Fleet shells Kamaishi, 275 miles north of Tokyo.
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Roll of Honour - July 14
Representing their comrades who died on this day 1915
+PAUL, JosephRMLI. Private. 17320. Plymouth Btn RND. Died 14/07/1915. Age 18. Enlisted 17/09/1914. Embarked Royal Marine Brigade 09/05/15 and joined Battalion at Cape Helles 30/05/1915. Born Bessbrook 26/11/1895. Son of Agnes Paul, Bann St., Old Park Rd., Belfast, and the late Robert Paul. Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey (including Gallipoli). ADM 159/160/17320
1916
+BROWN, Francis
Royal Irish Rifles, 4th Btn. "A" Coy.Rifleman.1148. Died 14/07/1916. Husband of Elizabeth Brown, of 148, Cupar St., Belfast. Carnmoney Cemetery
+DEANE, Arthur Denman
Royal Irish Regiment, 1st Btn. attd 2nd. Second Lieutenant. Died 14/07/1916. RBAI. Member of Knock RFC. Pre-war had been serving an engineering apprenticeship at the Workman & Clark & Co., shipyard in Belfast. He enlisted and served several months as a despatch rider prior to being commissioned. He died in a German counter-attack
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on a captured trench. His body was found and identified when the trench was re-taken but subsequently lost. His parents ived in Knockbreda Park, Belfast. They received a letter from him just hours before getting the War Office telegram telling of his death. Theipval Memorial, Somme, France
+LINTON, Harry
Royal Irish Rifles, 11th Btn. Private. Died 14/07/1916. Little is known currently of Harry Linton, he was wounded and later died of wounds during the Battle of the Somme. Possibly from the Randalstown, Antrim or Muckamore areas.
+LOUGHAN, Peter
Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), 8th Btn. B Coy. S/6457. Died 14/07/1916. Age 19. From Belfast. His brother Private Charles Loughan of 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment died in January 1915. He is named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Sons of Mrs. Grant (formerly Loughan), of 47, Dundyvan Rd., Coatbridge, and the late Robert Loughan. Theipval Memorial, Somme, France
+McALLISTER, Isaac Bell
Royal Irish Rifles, 12th Btn. "D" Coy. Rifleman.1775. Died 14/07/1916. Aged 20. Son of Daniel and Martha McAllister (also listed as Macallister), of Church St., Bushmills. Dunluce Presbyterian Churchyard
+McILWRATH, Robert
Royal Munster Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Private. 337. Died 14/07/1916. Aged 23. Son of James and Mary McIlwrath, of
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12, Halliday's Rd., Belfast. Ricourt British Cemetery, Somme, France
+McMANUS, James
Royal Irish Rifles, 12th Btn. Serjeant. 829. Died 14/07/1916. Aged 37. Son of Ellen McManus, of Mount Pleasant, Larne, and the late Alexander McManus. St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France
+McVICKER, John William
The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 13th Btn. Second Lieutenant. Died 14/07/1916. Age 21. Son of William James and Matilda Ann McVicker, of Craignamaddy, Stranocum,
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Co. Antrim. Enlisted in 1914. A Medical Student at Edinburgh University. Theipval Memorial, Somme, France
+SMYLIE, Robert Stewart
Royal Scots Fusiliers, 7th Btn. Lieutenant. Died 14/07/1916. Age 42. Educated in Ballymena. Became headmaster of the County Grammar School, Sudbury, Suffolk. He wrote several poems of his experiences and feelings at the front. He died at Longueval Ridge. His Commanding Officer wrote to his widow Beatrice, “Captain Smylie was killed instantaneously whilst charging at the head of his company and setting a fine example for his men”. Beatrice and their three children remained in Sudbury when the war ended. Son of Mrs R Smylie, Bridge End, Ballymena. Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France
+TAYLOR, Alexander
Royal Scots, 12th Btn. Private.12934. Died 14/07/1916. Age 28. Son of the late John and Mary Taylor, of Knocknamuckley, Co.Armagh. Theipval Memorial, Somme, France
+UPRICHARD, William Henry
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) 108th Coy. Private. 17806. Died 14/07/1916. Age 35. Son of William Henry and Mary Jane Uprichard; Husband to Margaret Uprichard, of 171, Hill St., Lurgan. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium
Continues next page
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1917
+CAMPBELL, John
Royal Irish Rifles.14th Btn. 6712. Died 14/07/1917. Aged 28.Husband of Norah Lilian Campbell, William St., Newtownards. Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast
1918
1941
+LOUGHLIN, HamiltonRN. Able Seaman. D/JX 181582. Died 14/07/1941. Age 27. HMS President III. In 1941 Hamilton was serving on board the Steamship S.S Georgic: she was the White Star's last Liner having been build in Harland & Wolff in 1931. In 1940 she was converted to a troop ship and requisitioned by the Royal Navy for the war effort. On 7 July 1941, Georgic was docked at Port Tewfik in the Gulf of Suez. German aircraft were sweeping the skies in that area and spotted Georgic, which they proceeded to attack, resulting in two bombs being dropped, with one striking Georgic 's stern. A large fire ensued, spreading to the ship's dummy funnel which was holding ammunition. This ammunition exploded, seriously damaging the stern area of the vessel. The order was given to abandon ship, with Georgic now sinking by the stern. Six
+BENNETT, MatthewAustralian Engineers, 7th Field Coy. Lance Corporal. 15233. Lance Corporal. Died 14/07/1918. Age 27. Son of Hugh and Mary Bennett of Donaghcloney, Co. Armagh. St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France
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crew were reported as Killed and Lost at Sea, Hamilton Loughlin was one of the six. Born Carrickfergus 1914. Son of Hamilton and Robina Loughlin, Carrickfergus; husband to Johanna Mary Loughlin, Carrickfergus. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 47.
1942
+HARPER, David
RAF. Leading Aircraftman. 616155. Died 14/07/1942. Aged 26. Son of Thomas and Margaret Harper, Eglinton. Alamein Memorial, Column 264, Egypt
+REID, John Girvan
RAFVR. Sergeant.1271320. Died 14/07/1942. Aged 33. 12 Sqdn. Son of Alexander and Jane Reid; husband to Ivy Maud Reid, of Island Magee, Co. Antrim. Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
1943
+BUTLER, Anthony Danvers Cavendish Butler
No. 3 Commando, fomerley North Irish Horse, Royal Armoured Corps. Lieutenant.103008. Died 14/07/1943, Age 27, during No. 3 Commando operations in Sicily as part of Operation Husky. Butler was a member of No. 5 Troop, engaged at the Malati Bridge. The bridge would later be known as “3 Commando Bridge”.
No. 3 Commando had reembarked on the Carrier Prins Albert at Syracuse on 12th July 1943 to carry out a second attack as part of the Sicily Invasion. From there, they would go on to hold the bridge near Lentini until the arrival of 50th
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Division. This was 10 miles behind enemy lines and 5 miles inland from the sea. They landed at Agnone, 20 miles north-west of Syracuse and took the bridge from Italian Forces. They removed demolitions but left themselves exposed to a German counterattack. No. 3 Commando suffered heavy casualties but held the bridge. After the fall of Catania, General Bernard Montgomery ordered a stone carved with “No. 3 Commando Bridge” be cemented in place on the bridge.
As a young boy in 1928, Anthony and his sister Maureen received an Award of Honour from the USPCA (Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Newspaper reports state they took part in the heroic rescue
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Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery with 2,170 war burials from WW2- the majority killed in the fighting from the 2nd week of July ‘44, when Caen was captured, to the last week in August.
JULY 14
of a dog from Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. Son of Major Henry Cavendish Butler and Blanche Cavendish Butler of Innis Rath, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh. Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. Kinawley C of I Parish Church WM
1944
+BRADSHAW, Arthur BalfourRoyal Corps of Signals. Second Lieutenant. 312237. Died 14/07/1944. Lisburn Cemetery. QUB RH
+FISHER, Douglas Frank Cameron
Welsh Guards. Officer Cadet. 2734094. Died 14/07/1944. Aged 26. Son of Frank Charles Fisher, and of Olive Mary Fisher (nee Temple); husband to Elizabeth Mary Fisher (nee McCarthy), of Jordanstown, Co. Antrim. Madras War Cemetery, Chennai, India
+McCUSKER, Joseph
RAMC. 211 Field Amb. Private. 6975767. Died 14/07/1944. Age 37. Son of Barney and Mary McCusker, of Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh. Bayeux War Cemetery,Calvados, France. Brookeborough WM
+MORRIS, William Charles Morris
Royal Ulster Rifles, 2nd Btn, D Coy. Sergeant. 7011150. Died 14/07/1944. Age 34. On 07/07/1944, he sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs at Hill 60, in the Battle of Normandy, France. Son of William Thomas Morris and Mary Jane Morris of 4 Newtownards Road, Belfast. The 1911 Irish census lists William’s father as a member of the Church of England and his mother as Roman Catholic.
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Nephew of Margaret Carbery, of Belfast. Bayeux War Cemetery, Bayeux, Normandy, France.
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