Operation: Patrol
Date: 19th July 1944 (Wednesday)
Unit: No. 266 Squadron
Type: Typhoon Ib
Serial: MN751
Base: Probably B3. St. Croix, moved from RAF Hurn this month.
Location: North of Liseux, France
Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Ronald McElroy 778860 RAFVR Age ? Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Patrolling when the squadron was attacked by Me 109's from JG1 and shot down North of Lisieus, France. JG1 calmed a total of 7 Typhoons this day.
Above left: Fl/Sgt. Ronald McElroy, Right: his brother Brian on his wedding day (courtesy Kevin McElroy)
Tragically 3 from 266 Squadron were lost.The other two:
Typhoon JR303 Flown by 23 year old Rhodesian P/O. Johannes Meyer, killed.
Typhoon MN133 Flown by 21 year old Rhodesian Fl/Sgt. John Harrold, killed.
His niece, Maureen Hayes visiting his grave in 2007.
The photo above also shows the grave next to Fl/Sgt McElroy as that of Fl/Sgt. Władysław Leon Pawłowski 793773 PAF of 317 Squadron - shot down on the 11th August 1944. (his photo shown below, right)
Left: Ronald's grave at St. Valery-en-Caux Franco-British cemetery as photographed by our kate Tame during her visit in 2012. Any relative who would like a higher resolution image, please dont hesitate to contact us.
Burial Details:
Fl/Sgt. Ronald McElroy. St. Valery-en-Caux Franco-British cemetery. Grave B.26. One of three brothers, the other two, Dennis (who also served with 44 squadron) and Brian from Rhodesia.
Researched for relatives of the pilot, Maureen Hayes (Née McElroy). Further information obtained from sources as quoted below.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 09 March 2015, 11:42