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McCabe, John

Date of birth:
1897
Date of death:
April 2nd, 1940 (Royal Ordnance Factory, Irvine, Scotland)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Graves Shewalton Cemetery
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Assistant Foreman
Unit:
Royal Ordnance Factory, Ministry of Supply, British Government
Awarded on:
May 31st, 1940
"The late John McCabe tragically lost his life through his exemplary devotion to duty on the 2nd April, when an explosion took place in the Factory. From the time that it was noticed that there were unusual conditions in the plant, he did all that was possible to get conditions normal. When this was unavailing and a fire was seen in one of the vessels, he attempted to use the mechanism which empties the contents of the vessel to a drowning pit. By this time the fire had spread to other vessels, and, after warning their men to escape, Messrs. Asquith and McLelland tried to use the appliance which is worked from outside the house for emptying all the vessels in the house, McCabe himself proceeding to work the same appliance within the building. While he was in the act of doing this, the explosion happened and he was instantly killed."

Later exchanged for a George Cross
British Empire Medal (BEM & EGM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Assistant Foreman
Unit:
Royal Ordnance Factory, Ministry of Supply, British Government
Awarded on:
September 1940
George Cross

Sources

Photo