McGrath, John Keswick Ulick Blake

Date of birth:: November 19th, 1919 (Tonbridge/Kent, United Kingdom)
Date of death:: June 17th, 1981
Service number:: 90967
Nationality:: British

Biography

John McGrath was part of No 601 Squadron's detachment in France flying a Hurricane. He scored three kills up to the 8th of August 1940, he shot down two Bf 109's on that day, reaching. He added two Bf 110's on the 11th. On the 13th he shot down a Ju 88 and a Bf 109.
On 15 August 1940 he was shot down and suffered severe head injuries from which he nearly died. Subsequently he spent almost six months in hospital.
After this he did not fly again for the RAF and served as operations room officer at RAF Exeter and moved after that to RAF Middle Wallop on 22nd July and other non-combattant duties in the RAF.
He was released in January 1946 as a Squadron Leader.
After the war John McGrath became a travel agent.

6 July, 1939: Pilot Officer on Probation
4 May, 1940: Pilot Officer
9 December, 1939 Pilot Officer (substituted for previous notification)
9 December, 1940: Flying Officer
9 December, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Pilot Officer
Unit:: No. 601 (County of London) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: August 27th, 1940
Awarded for:: Operation Dynamo

Citation:
"In May, 1940, during a patrol over Arras, Pilot Officer McGrath destroyed a Messerschmitt 109. A few days later, near. Dunkirk, he shot down a Messerschmitt 110. Since then, he has destroyed a further three enemy aircraft and possibly another seven. He has displayed great courage and determination."

Sources

- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34652/page/5487
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34864/page/3359
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34932/supplement/5219
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35076/page/913
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35183/page/3242
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35426/page/355
- Battle of Britain
- Battle of Britain Monument - Battle of Britain Monument in London