E. Esmonde VC DSO, War Grave, 1942, Gillingham, Royal Navy
Eugene Kingsmill ESMONDE
Lieut-Commander (A), H.M.S. Daedalus (825 Sqdn.), Royal Navy
Age:32, Date of Death:12/02/1942
Awards:V C, D S O
Son of John Joseph and Eily Esmonde, of Drominagh, Co. Tipperary, Irish Republic.
Cemetery:GILLINGHAM (WOODLANDS) CEMETERY
Citation:The following details are given in the London Gazette of 3rd March, 1942 : The King has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the Victoria Cross, for valour and resolution in action against the enemy, to Lieut.-Comdr. Eugene Esmonde, D.S.O., R.N. On 12th February, 1942, Lieut.-Comdr. Esmonde was in command of a squadron of six Swordfish ordered to attack the German battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the cruiser Prinz Eugene, which were entering the Straits of Dover strongly escorted by some thirty surface craft. After ten minutes'' flight his squadron was attacked by a strong force of enemy fighters. Touch was lost with his fighter escort and all his aircraft were damaged. Nevertheless, cool and resolute, challenging hopeless odds, he flew on towards the target through the deadly fire of the battle-cruisers and their escorts. The port wing of his aircraft was shattered, but still he led his squadron on, only to be quickly shot down. His high courage and splendid resolution will live in the traditions of the Royal Navy and remain for many generations a fine and stirring memory. www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2361369
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Esmonde
FAA, 825 Sqn, Daedalus, air operations
BEYNON, David R, Ty/Sub Lieutenant (A), RNVR, MPK
BLIGH, Peter, Ty/Act/Sub Lieutenant (A), RNVR, MPK
CLINTON, William J, Ty/Act/Petty Officer Airman, FAA/JX 143258, killed
ESMONDE, Eugene, Lieutenant Commander (A), killed, awarded posthumous Victoria Cross
JOHNSON, Ambrose L, Leading Airman, FAA/FX 82042, killed
PARKINSON, Robert L, Sub Lieutenant (A), MPK
SMITH, William G, Ty/Leading Airman, FAA/FX 793\499, MPK
TAPPING, Ernest, Leading Airman, FAA/FX 76365, MPK
THOMPSON, John C, Lieutenant (A), MPK
WHEELER, Henry T A, Ty/Leading Airman, FAA/JX 189404, MPK
WILLIAMS, William H, Lieutenant, killed
WOOD, Cecil R, Sub Lieutenant (A), MPK
WRIGHT, Eric H F, Ty/Sub Lieutenant (A), RNVR, MPK
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1942-02FEB.htm
Tipperary Victoria Cross homepage.eircom.net/~tipperaryfame/medals.htm
E. Esmonde VC DSO, War Grave, 1942, Gillingham, Royal Navy
Eugene Kingsmill ESMONDE
Lieut-Commander (A), H.M.S. Daedalus (825 Sqdn.), Royal Navy
Age:32, Date of Death:12/02/1942
Awards:V C, D S O
Son of John Joseph and Eily Esmonde, of Drominagh, Co. Tipperary, Irish Republic.
Cemetery:GILLINGHAM (WOODLANDS) CEMETERY
Citation:The following details are given in the London Gazette of 3rd March, 1942 : The King has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the Victoria Cross, for valour and resolution in action against the enemy, to Lieut.-Comdr. Eugene Esmonde, D.S.O., R.N. On 12th February, 1942, Lieut.-Comdr. Esmonde was in command of a squadron of six Swordfish ordered to attack the German battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the cruiser Prinz Eugene, which were entering the Straits of Dover strongly escorted by some thirty surface craft. After ten minutes'' flight his squadron was attacked by a strong force of enemy fighters. Touch was lost with his fighter escort and all his aircraft were damaged. Nevertheless, cool and resolute, challenging hopeless odds, he flew on towards the target through the deadly fire of the battle-cruisers and their escorts. The port wing of his aircraft was shattered, but still he led his squadron on, only to be quickly shot down. His high courage and splendid resolution will live in the traditions of the Royal Navy and remain for many generations a fine and stirring memory. www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2361369
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Esmonde
FAA, 825 Sqn, Daedalus, air operations
BEYNON, David R, Ty/Sub Lieutenant (A), RNVR, MPK
BLIGH, Peter, Ty/Act/Sub Lieutenant (A), RNVR, MPK
CLINTON, William J, Ty/Act/Petty Officer Airman, FAA/JX 143258, killed
ESMONDE, Eugene, Lieutenant Commander (A), killed, awarded posthumous Victoria Cross
JOHNSON, Ambrose L, Leading Airman, FAA/FX 82042, killed
PARKINSON, Robert L, Sub Lieutenant (A), MPK
SMITH, William G, Ty/Leading Airman, FAA/FX 793\499, MPK
TAPPING, Ernest, Leading Airman, FAA/FX 76365, MPK
THOMPSON, John C, Lieutenant (A), MPK
WHEELER, Henry T A, Ty/Leading Airman, FAA/JX 189404, MPK
WILLIAMS, William H, Lieutenant, killed
WOOD, Cecil R, Sub Lieutenant (A), MPK
WRIGHT, Eric H F, Ty/Sub Lieutenant (A), RNVR, MPK
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1942-02FEB.htm
Tipperary Victoria Cross homepage.eircom.net/~tipperaryfame/medals.htm