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Nolan, Edward Patrick

Date of birth:
May 5th, 1915 (Kilgulbin, Ireland)
Date of death:
February 6th, 1998
Nationality:
Irish (1919-present, Republic)

Biography

Servicenumber 581470/48748.

E.P. Nolan was born at Kilgulbin, Ardfert, Co. Kerry, Ireland on May 5th, 1915.

He was a navigator on the first airborne mission of the Second World War, known as operation Collossus. He flew more than 30 bombing missions over Europe as a navigator and observer in Whitney and Fairey Battle aircraft. He was later sent by the RAF as a Flight Lieutenant instructor to Train Canadian airmen at Mount Hope Airforce base in Hamilton, Ontario.

After the war, he settled in Hamilton Ontario and had a distinguished career as a Chartered Accountant. He married Kathleen Hunt McManus, the widow of RCAF Pilot Officer Walter McManus who had died as a result of a Spitfire crash while on duty with the RAF 504 Squadron in Northern Ireland on January 7th, 1942 at Roughlan near Lurgan.
Edward P Nolan and Kathleen Hunt McManus Nolan had 3 children: John Hunt Nolan, born April 25 1945, Dermot P. Nolan born August 13 1947 ( both Hamilton lawyers) and Mary Kathleen Nolan born August 15 1952, a journalist with the Hamilton Spectator.

Edward P Nolan died on February 6, 1998. Kathleen Nolan died on January 17, 2007.

Promotions:
?: Sergeant;
?: Teporary Warrant Officer;
9th December 1941: Pilot Officer on probation (emergency);
1st October 1942: Flying Officer on probation (war
subs.);
?: Flying Officer;
9th December 1943: flight Lieutenant (war subs.);

Career:
18th February 1946: Commission resigned as Fligth Lieutenant.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
No. 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
August 22nd, 1941
Received for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.

Pilot Officer Edward P. Nolan was presented with the Distinguished Flying Medal by King George VI on June 26th, 1945 at Buckingam Palace.
The London Gazette dated August 22nd, 1941.
Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Sources

  • Photo 1: Dermot Nolan
  • - The London Gazette of 22nd August 1941, Issue 35254
    - The London Gazette of 2nd June 1942, Issue 35580
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 10th November 1942, Issue 35784, dated 13th November 1942
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 7th December 1943, Issue 36280, dated 10 december 1943
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 15th November 1946, Issue 37791, dated 19th November 1946
    - Family records and decorations

Photo