MCDONOUGH, Bryan Martin
| Service Number: | 42137 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 March 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 236 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Ulverstone, Tasmania, 15 August 1916 |
| Home Town: | Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Melbourne Christian Brothers College |
| Occupation: | Professional AIr Force officer |
| Died: | Battle Of Britain, Querqueville, France, United Kingdom, 31 July 1940, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" RAAF Aircrew lost over the English Channel, Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England, United Kingdom |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Mar 1939: | Enlisted Royal Air Force , Pilot Officer, Aircrew Training Units | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug 1940: | Involvement Royal Air Force , Pilot Officer, 42137, No. 236 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45, Killed in action over France |
Pilot Officer Bryan Martin McDonough
Pilot Officer Bryan McDonough went to England in January 1939, on a short service commission in the R.A.F.
After the outbreak of war he served in both the bomber and fighter commands, and was the first member of his squadron to shoot down an enemy aircraft, when he destroyed a Heinkel over the Channel.
He received his early education at Christian Brothers College (Parade) Melbourne, Vic.
Place of Death: 01/08/1940 Querqueville, France. (Battle for Britain) SQUADRON 236
Born: 15/08/1916 (died just 14 days prior to his 24th Birthday).
Bryan was the second Australian to die in the Battle of Britain. The approx. time of crash 17.15 hours. The plane went down at Querqueville, France.
We have all Brian's photos, he wrote in meticulous handwriting on the back of all of them. We have a condolence letter sent from Buckingham Palace. We also still have the death notice from one of the papers which my Sister kept in her prayer book.
Both my Sisters saw his name on the role of honour in Westminster Abbey and also in the Battle of Britain Book in St Clement Danes church in London. It is the Air Force Church. They were so surprised to see the memorabilia there and were also allowed to hold the book in which all the names were written. It is also on the Runnymede war memorial.
Sadly the War Memorial in Canberra have the DOD incorrect, we are working to rectify this.
Submitted 19 July 2017 by Kathleen Minassian
Biography contributed by David Barlow
Bryan Martin McDonough Battle of Britain pilot (1916-1940)
Son of John Martin McDonough and Nellie McDonough of Ulverstone Tasmania.
Bryan Martin McDonough was born at Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia on 15th August 1916. His family later moved to Victoria and he completed his education at St. Kevin's College, Melbourne.
McDonough joined the RAF on a short service commission in March 1939. After completing his training he joined the newly-reformed 236 Squadron at Stradishall in early November 1939.
During a bomber-escort operation to France on 1st August 1940 McDonough was shot down in Blenheim R2774, either by the ground defences of Querqueville aerodrome or by Oblt. Dullberg of III/JG27.
"Blenheim N2774 failed to return from air operations, 1 August 1940 - Pilot Officer B M McDonough and Sergeant F A Head: missing presumed dead"
McDonough and Head are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 9.
With thanks to the Battle of Britain London Monument
Click images to start slideshow.