Flight Officer Beverly William Flanagan J18515
Flight Officer Beverly William Flanagan J18515 RCAF. He was born on July 9, 1923. He was the son of Patrick and Inza Flanagan of 187 Queen St., Chatham, Ontario Canada. Beverly Flanagan enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF on July 23, 1941 shortly after his 18th Birthday. He wanted to join the Canadian Infantry Highlanders, same unit that his father was with in during World War One, but his father threatened to disown him. Patrick Flanagan wanted his son to be safe. Beverly received his Wings in May of 1942 at McDonald, Manitoba, he was then a Sergeant-Observer. He then went to Rivers MN. where he received additional training as an air navigator. He also trained at Belleville, Ontario., Cap de la Madeline, PQ. Portage La Prairie. In May 1942 he became a sergeant. Received commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1943 when overseas, and six months later the rank of Flying Officer. His first Squadron was the 424th Squadron he served with them in North Africa.
He was transferred to 426th Squadron, Beverly had been promoted to Pilot Officer and then to Flying Officer and in June of 1944 he was an instructor. He intimated that he piloted Lancaster bombers and had flown missions over Germany including Berlin on a dozen missions, they flew many of the same targets that the US 9th Air force was hitting during the day. He served as the navigator on Lancaster MZ598. On April 18, 1944, Lancaster MZ598 was twice attacked by an enemy fighter and sustained severe damage. Without the assistance of any navigational aids Beverly Flanagan with coolness and skill guided the aircraft safely back to base. He was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross, for this Action. Sometime between April 18, and May 8, 1944, Beverly did something stupid and broke his arm.” The broken Arm saved his life.
He was awarded the DFC on April 27, 1945 in Canada, and he was discharged May 11th, 1945, at the age of 21. He had served in North Africa, England, Yorkshire North Wales, Nottingham and the remaining time back in Yorkshire. He was awarded RAF Pathfinder Wing, RCAF Navigator Wings, RCAF Observer, British Distinguished Flying Cross, The 1939-1945 Star, The Air Crew Europe Star, The Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, and the War Medal 1939-1945. Beverley and his wife Helen Pauline Flanagan immigrated to the United States on June 16, 1952. He moved to Garland Texas in the 1950s. In 1960 he gave up his Canadian Citizenship in order to vote in the 1960 Election and never missed another election. He died on July 7, 2012 two days before his 89th Birthday.
The men that were on Lancaster MZ598 on May 8 – 9th 1944 serving in the 426th squadron were:
O-886141 First Lieutenant John K. Smith O-886141 was the Skipper He is also Number 3 in this photo.
P/O Kenneth George Marris 171697 was the navigator on the night of May 8 – 9th 1944, he took F/O Beverly William Flanagan spot on the aircraft because Flanagan “did something stupid and brock his arm.” P/O Marris is not in the photo F/O Flanagan is Number 2 and gave me the photograph.
P/O Vernon Mudford J85719 BA he is in this photo.
P/O Albert Edward Jackson 174250 WAG he is in this photo
P/O G.H. Congreve 174045 FE was the only man able to get out of the aircraft and was able to evade the Germans. He is also in this photo.
P/O Arthur Leslie Horton C85693 MU. He is also in this photo.
WO2 Kenneth Lloyd Schmidt R122560 RG. He is also in this photo.
Sgt Edwin Earle Fairgrieve Park R182855 MG. He is also in this photo.
