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Sergt P.O' Flaherty, RAF, Kiltimagh.

Friday, 22 March 2013 19:10 | Written by Administrator |

KILTIMAGH AIRMAN’S DEATH

Sergt. P. O’ Flaherty , R.A.F.

The news of the death of Sergt. P. O’Flaherty R.A.F. reached his parents in Kiltimagh on Thursday of last week. The deceased airman joined the R.A.F. two years and a half ago, when he was twenty years of age. Since the outbreak of the war he was engaged on many hazardous expeditions, among the being the raid made on the Kiel Canal. After the invasion of Norway his plane was with the first R.A.F,squadrons engaged in that country, where he was wounded in the forehead, but refused to go on sick leave. After the invasion of Holland his squadron was also in action, when the gunner and navigator of his plane were killed, after it had crashed. Here he had a miraculous escape. He managed to elude capture, and after walking from Monday to the following Thursday he reached the French lines, returning from France with a section of those evacuated from Dunkirk. His promotion to rank of sergeant came following his splendid work in Holland.

Considering his many hair-breath escapes, his end was singularly unfortunate, coming as a result of a crash into a balloon barrage over the east coast, just as he was returning from what his C.O. described as the carrying out “ of an excellent operation” in France. The deceased was possessed of the characteristics that contributed to his rapid advancement in the hazardous occupation he followed and had fates being kinder there is now doubt but he would reach a very high commissioned rank with very little delay.

The R.A.F., authorities made all arrangements to send the remains home and so to carry out the wishes of his parents, but conditions unforeseen arose, and he was interred in Ashlington Northumberland Shire on Monday 10^thJune with full military honours. The cortege was led by the Commanding Officer and Adjutant followed by two squadrons of R.A.F., next came a firing party of 30 men with trumpeter. The coffin on a gun carriage covered by floral tributes followed among which was a huge wreath from No. 22 squadron, to which he belonged. A guard of honour of twelve sergeants walked on either side of the casket, and these were followed by the deceased airman’s father, Mr. Tom Flaherty and his sisters Chris and Moya.

Three aeroplanes hovered over the funeral till it reached the cemetery. There military honours were rendered by firing party, last prayers were recited by chaplain, the last salute was given by O/C and Adjutant and the remains were laid to rest beside the Catholic church and in the shade of the R.A.F. camp where the planes he loved so well and in which he served so gallantly will always be hear.

He was the youngest non commissioned officer in the coastal command and the King was the first to congratulate him personally on his well-deserved promotion. His death is regretted not alone by his parents and relatives but by the very many who knew him during his all too short live.

Many messages of sympathy have been received. On Wednesday the 12^thJune in the Parish Church Kiltimagh solemn requiem Mass was celebrated for the happy and eternal repose of his soul. The celebrant was the Rev. J. Cannon Gallagher P.P. with the Rev. P. O’Grady C.C. and the Rev. D. O’Hara C.C. as Deacon and Sub Deacon respectively.

There was a very large and representative congregation present, the chief mourners are: Mr Tom O’Flaherty (father) Mrs Nellie O’Flaherty (mother), the Misses Chris, Maureen and Lena (sisters) and Christy, Joseph, T.D. and Louis Flaherty (brothers).

May his gallant soul rest in peace and many God give to his bereaved parents, brothers and sisters, strength to bear their irreparable loss.

Western People Newspaper article

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Saturday 6th of April

Visit of the Seven Towers Choir from Ballymena.

Saturday the 11th of May.

Reading Choir will visit for a short wreath Laying and performance

Saturday 25th of May.

Cor Chairlinne Choir, at 10.30am, Castlecomer Male Voice Choir, at 11.30am, Oban Scottish Choir at 12noon, Portadown Male Voice Choirat 12.30pm, are to visit on the 24th of May 2013, for a shiort wreath laying ceremony and recital.

American Day

Saturday the 25^thof May 2013.

We depart from the Mayo Peace Park at 12 noon.

U.S. Grave Rededication.

12.45pm in Burriscarra Cemetery.

Private Patrick J. Scahill,

Serial number 1945430

Co.B. 16^thInfantry U.S. Army.

Killed in Action 18th of July 1918.

Buried in Burriscarra Cemetery, County Mayo

2.15pm in Mayo Abbey, Cemetery

Private Martin Davin,

Serial Number 397938.

17^thAnti Aircraft Battery,

U.S. Army.

Died of Pneumonia, on active service, 5th of October 1918.

Buried in Mayo Abbey Cemetery. 16^th June 1920.

3.45pm U.S. Legion Wreath Laying.

U.S. Legion Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Mayo Peace Park

4 pm

Presentation Lunch in the Harlequin Hotel & Historical Lecture

Korean Government Presentations. Presentation to the family of Cpl Michael Gannon, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2^ndInfantry Division. From Achill Island, he was killed in action in Korea, 13^thof February 1951, buried in Bunnacurry, Achill. Certificate, Medals, Jacket & Tie Pin.

Presentation to the family of Sgt Mark James Brennan, 78^thAAA Battalion, from Kiltimagh, who died in a Non-Hostile Air Crash, whilst returning from R&R, to his unit at Suwon Air Base, Korea. Certificate, Medals, Jacket & Tie Pin.

Presentation of a Presidential Certificate

In respect of Private Thomas Carey, Supply Company, 115^thField Artillery, U.S. Army, from Bekan, Claremorris, to Mrs Bridie Culliney.

Signed by U.S. President Barrack Obama.

Historical Lecture .

By Captain Donal Buckley Retd. Irish Defence Force.

Gala Concert organised by the Mayo Choral Festival Committee all choirs will perform.

Mayo Choral Festival 23^rd– 26^thof May.

There will be a number of choirs visiting from Norway, Scotland, Germany, England and the USA; they will visiting & performing at the Mayo Peace Park.

Saturday 29th of June 2013.

Donegal Historical Group visit 2.30pm

Mayo Peace Park - Annual General Meeting

Wednesday the 4^thof July 2013, at 8pm, in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar.

RBL, Commemoration Day at Islandbridge

Dublin Saturday the 13^thof July 2013.

Mayo National Day of Commemoration Ceremony.

Mayo Peace Park, Castlebar, Sunday the 14^thof July 2013.

General Humbert’s Footsteps Commemoration Festival 16th of August

There will be a special wreath laying ceremony at the Mayo Peace Park.

Sunday 18th of August 2013.

Visit of the family & relatives of Cpl Vincent Livesy , of the Border Regiment, from Bamber Bridge in Preston on the Sunday the 18^thof August 2013.wreath laying in Castlebar Old Cemetery and assorted tours arranged to suit.

September 2013.

Mayo Peace Park tour to France & Flanders, we invite you to consider joining this historic tour.

Sunday the 10^thof November 2013.

Our Annual Remembrance Day Commemoration Mass will take place.

Monday the 11^thof November 2013, at 10.30am

Armistice Day Wreath Laying.

Regimental & Family visits

There are a number of Regimental Association visits taking place during the year, but the actual dates are not yet agreed.

School Educational Tours & Visits

We will have all the normal school groups over the year.

Hotel Coach Tours

The regular hotel coach tours will continue to visit the Mayo Peace Park over the coming year and we are delighted to welcome them.