Tracing pilots history - RAF 91 Sqd Spitfires

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Sir Sid

Recruit
2
0
Sep 7, 2008
Hi all,

First post here and I'm hoping some of you guys can help me trace the service history of my Great Uncle who flew Spitfires with No 91 'Nigeria' Squadron. I did some work on Google last week which actually found quite a few mentions of his name and even a photo in a book called No 91 'Nigeria' Squadron by Peter Hall. In the book he is listed a few times with two pictures and some interesting reports ,which are:

Joinging the Squadron on July 1st 1942

Surviving a 'blue on blue' when his wingman was shot down when attacked by 609 Squadron Hawker Typhoons on the 18th of December 1942.

Being described as the Squadrons 'ace' photographer when the Spitfires were equiped with an F24 oblique camera.

Shooting down a Bf 109 while providing escort cover during Ramrod 250 mission to Beauvais on the 26th of September 1942 which was confirmed by his Yellow section leader.

Being deemed to have served long enough for a posting to HQ No9 Group for instructor duties on December 5th 1943.

The Squadron photo for VE day 1945 dated May 10th at Ludham Norfolk. See link. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wmKJHZbwI5wC&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=spitfire++O'Shaughnessy&source=web&ots=5lMnq0kNDc&sig=34Mnd2rP6VmQ2FvSasKEN3azUI8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result

Google also finds a page with the history of Spitfire in which it says he shot down a Fw190 just two days before his Bf109 in another ramod mission to bauvais. Peter Halls book lists a mission for that date to Beauvais and says the squadron claimed 3 FW 190's ,but lists different pilots with the kills.

Serial MB836
Markings RH; EB-V
Engine Griffon III
Movements 6 MU 18/5/43; 405 ARF Heston 11/8/43; 91 Squadron 22/8/43; Repaired on Site 19/11/43; 91 Squadron 30/12/43; 33 MU 20/3/44; 3501 Service Unit 8/6/44; 41 Squadron 26/6/44; FLS Milfield 28/9/44; 39 MU 26/10/44; claimed by 39 MU as non-effective aircraft; Home Census March 1946; Struck off Charge 16/5/46
Remarks W/C Ray Harries claimed a FW190 in the Evereaux area on 22/9/43 in this aircraft; F/O A. G. O'Shaughnessy claimed a FW190 in the Beauvais area on 24/9/43; W/C Ray Harries claimed two Me109G in the Rouen-Evereaux area on 20/10/43 in this aircraft; believed to be W/C Harries personal aircraft during his time as Tangmere Wing leader. Carried codes RH


Another Google link to another book says the following :

"Next is six pages on No. 91 (Nigeria) Squadron (DL), the second of only two Squadrons to fly the Mk.XII in numbers. It begins with a side profile of DL-E, EN617, the regular aircraft of Pilot Officer Albert G. O'Shaughnessy, again by Malcolm Laird. "

So does anyone know the best place to be able to fill in the missing caps in the history of FL/O Albert G. O'Shaughnessy or 'shag' O'Shaughnessy as he was rather amusingly know in the Squadron ?
Thanks for any help.Great forum BTW.

PS. Wasn't sure if this is the best forum section to post this in, so if any mod wants to move it, please feel free to do what's best.
 
Osprey No 91 Nigeria Squadron
Peter Hall
 

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Hi I see you have been looking for information on Albert O'Shaughnessy.
I can supply all the information you want, I am his son.
Also very curious to know who SIR SID is.
 
glad that 2 or 3 people from 'shags' family have manage dto get in touch.
My uncle 'Fl Lt Arthur 'Big'Elcock flew with both 91 and 'Shag' Any information / records / photos from the O'Shaughnessy familiy greatly appreciated!

pete
 
Nice work--thank you for sharing-
Thanks so much for this. I appreciate the effort. It really helps a lot.
Glad to hear you're using this: I plan to keep it much more aggressively up-to-date than has been the case in the past, but don't hesitate to let me know if you find errors or need clarifications.
 
Wondering if anyone knew the name of the wing man of FL/O O'Shaugnessy of RAF91 Squadron, that was shot down December 17, or 18, 1942...
 
Although this thread has been going on for 2 years, I want to welcome everyone to the forum! Some great info has been posted.
 
From a newbie... My wifes Uncle, Flight Sergeant Dalton Prytherch from 91 Squadron, missing in action over the English channel 18/6/1943. As at August 1942 he had 2 destroys and 3 probables (per the London Gazette 1942) Does anyone have any recollection or info please? Thank you.
 
The pilot who was shot down that day was Sgt. Jack Chittick. My grandad, Shag, managed to dive into cloud cover. When he broke through the cloudbase he found an oil patch on the channel, but no sign of the aircraft or pilot.
 
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The pilot who was shot down that day was Sgt. Jack Chittick. My grandad, Shag, managed to dive into cloud cover. When he broke through the cloudbase he found an oil patch on the channel, but no sign of the aircraft or pilot.
 
The pilot who was shot down that day was Sgt. Jack Chittick. My grandad, Shag, managed to dive into cloud cover. When he broke through the cloudbase he found an oil patch on the channel, but no sign of the aircraft or pilot.
Sorry KC, I'm not sure if you are replying to me or not... My date was based on Uncle Daltons Malta memorial notation. There may be a day or so either way, I don't know any more than the memorial. Is your Grandad still around? If so he may recall our Uncle Dalton. Thanks.
 
Wondering if anyone knew the name of the wing man of FL/O O'Shaugnessy of RAF91 Squadron, that was shot down December 17, or 18, 1942...

Sgt Jack Chittick was flying as my Grandad's wingman that day when they were bounced by 2 Typhoons. He was shot down and crashed in the channel.
 
From a newbie... My wifes Uncle, Flight Sergeant Dalton Prytherch from 91 Squadron, missing in action over the English channel 18/6/1943. As at August 1942 he had 2 destroys and 3 probables (per the London Gazette 1942) Does anyone have any recollection or info please? Thank you.

Hi this is great my mums uncle Dalton Prytherch was shot down and MIA .He was my grandads cousin (Eric Prytherch). We where under e impression he died over Malta. I do have some photos .
 
Hi all,

First post here and I'm hoping some of you guys can help me trace the service history of my Great Uncle who flew Spitfires with No 91 'Nigeria' Squadron. I did some work on Google last week which actually found quite a few mentions of his name and even a photo in a book called No 91 'Nigeria' Squadron by Peter Hall. In the book he is listed a few times with two pictures and some interesting reports ,which are:

Joinging the Squadron on July 1st 1942

Surviving a 'blue on blue' when his wingman was shot down when attacked by 609 Squadron Hawker Typhoons on the 18th of December 1942.

Being described as the Squadrons 'ace' photographer when the Spitfires were equiped with an F24 oblique camera.

Shooting down a Bf 109 while providing escort cover during Ramrod 250 mission to Beauvais on the 26th of September 1942 which was confirmed by his Yellow section leader.

Being deemed to have served long enough for a posting to HQ No9 Group for instructor duties on December 5th 1943.

The Squadron photo for VE day 1945 dated May 10th at Ludham Norfolk. See link. No. 91 'Nigeria' Sqn - Peter Hall - Google Books

Google also finds a page with the history of Spitfire in which it says he shot down a Fw190 just two days before his Bf109 in another ramod mission to bauvais. Peter Halls book lists a mission for that date to Beauvais and says the squadron claimed 3 FW 190's ,but lists different pilots with the kills.

Serial MB836
Markings RH; EB-V
Engine Griffon III
Movements 6 MU 18/5/43; 405 ARF Heston 11/8/43; 91 Squadron 22/8/43; Repaired on Site 19/11/43; 91 Squadron 30/12/43; 33 MU 20/3/44; 3501 Service Unit 8/6/44; 41 Squadron 26/6/44; FLS Milfield 28/9/44; 39 MU 26/10/44; claimed by 39 MU as non-effective aircraft; Home Census March 1946; Struck off Charge 16/5/46
Remarks W/C Ray Harries claimed a FW190 in the Evereaux area on 22/9/43 in this aircraft; F/O A. G. O'Shaughnessy claimed a FW190 in the Beauvais area on 24/9/43; W/C Ray Harries claimed two Me109G in the Rouen-Evereaux area on 20/10/43 in this aircraft; believed to be W/C Harries personal aircraft during his time as Tangmere Wing leader. Carried codes RH


Another Google link to another book says the following :

"Next is six pages on No. 91 (Nigeria) Squadron (DL), the second of only two Squadrons to fly the Mk.XII in numbers. It begins with a side profile of DL-E, EN617, the regular aircraft of Pilot Officer Albert G. O'Shaughnessy, again by Malcolm Laird. "

So does anyone know the best place to be able to fill in the missing caps in the history of FL/O Albert G. O'Shaughnessy or 'shag' O'Shaughnessy as he was rather amusingly know in the Squadron ?
Thanks for any help.Great forum BTW.

PS. Wasn't sure if this is the best forum section to post this in, so if any mod wants to move it, please feel free to do what's best.

My uncle did not fly with 91 until April 1943, but I have all his log books to the Victory fly past. If you have any dates you want me to check let me know. Unfortunately going into hospital for neurosurgery Tuesday 21/10/14.
John may My uncle Flight Lieutenant A Smith
 

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