The true stories of Two Irish born Women Aviators heroes and two Irish born Men heroes who served in the RAF during the Second World War.
Born 10 November 1896 in Knockaderry, County Limerick
Died 9 May 1939 (aged 42) in St Leonards’s Hospital, Shoreditch, London
Cause of death Head injury
Resting place Surrey
Nationality Irish
Lady Mary Heath (10 November 1896 – 9 May 1939) was an Irish aviator and began life as Sophie Catherine Theresa Mary Peirce-Evans in Knockaderry, County Limerick, near the town of Newcastle West. She was one of the best known women in the world for a five-year period from the mid 1920s
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Born 1 October 1912, Owenduff, Achill, Ireland
Died 26 June 1983 (aged 70) Sarasota, Florida, United States
Cause of death Heart attack
Nationality Irish
Known for Second female commercial pilot in the US
Annie R. “Nancy” Corrigan (21 June 1912 – 1983) was an early aviator in the US who trained as a pilot in Cleveland, Ohio while working as a nursemaid and fashion model in 1932. She went on to be a successful instructor and commercial pilot when it was very unusual for women to be involved in such matters.
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Born 1914 Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland
Died 11 October 1995, Northwood, London
Service/branch Royal Air Force – Air Commodore
Service number 23425
Battles/wars Second World War
Awards Officer of the Order of the British Empire, George Medal
Other work Doctor
Air Commodore Joseph Aidan MacCarthy OBE, GM (1914–1995) was an Irish doctor of the Royal Air Force who showed great courage, resourcefulness and humanity during his capture by the Japanese during the Second World War.
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Born 16 October 1920, Rathmines, County Dublin, Ireland
Died 15 July 1942 (aged 21) English Channel
Service/branch Royal Air Force, Wing Commander
Years of service 1938–42
Battles/wars Second World War – Battle of Britain and Channel Front
Awards Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross & Two Bars
Wing Commander Brendan Eamonn Fergus Finucane, DSO, DFC & Two Bars (16 October 1920 – 15 July 1942), known as Paddy Finucane amongst his colleagues, was a Second World War Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot and flying ace—defined as an aviator credited with five or more enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial combat.