Wing Commander 'Paddy' Finucane, DSO, DSC [2 bars], AFC.
Brendon was born in Dublin on the 16th of October 1920, he was the eldest child of Thomas and Florence, he was followed by 2 brothers, Ray and Kevin, and then by 2 sisters, Monica and Claire.
He attended Synge Street and O Connells schools before the family emigrated to Richmond in Surry in 1936, where he became intrested in flying.
He joined the RAF in May 1938 and at age 19 became operational, flying Spitfires with 65 squadron, in July of 1940. He shot down his first Bf 109 on the 12th of August 1940, getting his second, also a Bf 109, the following day.
Following the Battle of Britain, he served with 452 squadron RAAF, as 'A' flight commander, and scored the squadron's first kill, another Bf 109,
'Paddy' Finucane went on to become the youngest ever wing commander in the RAF.
On the 15th of July while taking part in a sweep of the French coast,he was hit by anti-aircraft fire and his aircraft crashed into the sea.
His score stood at 32 kills, which was the second highest RAF score for the Second World War.
A book about this fighter pilot, written by Doug Stokes is currently unavailable
Brendon was born in Dublin on the 16th of October 1920, he was the eldest child of Thomas and Florence, he was followed by 2 brothers, Ray and Kevin, and then by 2 sisters, Monica and Claire.
He attended Synge Street and O Connells schools before the family emigrated to Richmond in Surry in 1936, where he became intrested in flying.
He joined the RAF in May 1938 and at age 19 became operational, flying Spitfires with 65 squadron, in July of 1940. He shot down his first Bf 109 on the 12th of August 1940, getting his second, also a Bf 109, the following day.
Following the Battle of Britain, he served with 452 squadron RAAF, as 'A' flight commander, and scored the squadron's first kill, another Bf 109,
'Paddy' Finucane went on to become the youngest ever wing commander in the RAF.
On the 15th of July while taking part in a sweep of the French coast,he was hit by anti-aircraft fire and his aircraft crashed into the sea.
His score stood at 32 kills, which was the second highest RAF score for the Second World War.
A book about this fighter pilot, written by Doug Stokes is currently unavailable
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