George McElroy
| George Edward Henry McElroy | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Deadeye", "Mac", "McIrish" |
| Born |
14 May 1893 Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 31 July 1918 (aged 25) Laventie, France |
| Buried at | Laventie Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, Nord, France (50°38′10″N 2°46′25″E / 50.63611°N 2.77361°ECoordinates: 50°38′10″N 2°46′25″E / 50.63611°N 2.77361°E) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Flying Corps Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | |
| Awards |
Military Cross & Two Bars Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Captain George Edward Henry McElroy MC & Two Bars, DFC & Bar (14 May 1893 – 31 July 1918) was a leading Irish-born fighter pilot of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I. He was credited with 47 aerial victories.
McElroy was born at Donnybrook, County Dublin, Ireland to Samuel and Ellen McElroy. He enlisted promptly at the start of World War I in August 1914, and was shipped out to France two months later. He was serving as a corporal in the Motor Cyclist Section of the Royal Engineers when he was first commissioned as a second lieutenant on 9 May 1915. While serving in the Royal Irish Regiment he was severely affected by mustard gas and was sent home to recuperate. He was in Dublin in April 1916, during the Easter Rising, and was ordered to help quell the insurrection. McElroy refused to fire upon his fellow Irishmen, and was transferred to a southerly garrison away from home.
On 1 June 1916 McElroy relinquished his commission in the Royal Irish Regiment when awarded a cadetship at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, from which he graduated on 28 February 1917, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery.
McElroy was promptly seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, being trained as a pilot at the Central Flying School at Upavon, and appointed a flying officer on 28 June. On 27 July his commission was backdated to 9 February 1916, and he was promoted to lieutenant on 9 August. On 15 August he joined No. 40 Squadron RFC, where he benefited from mentoring by Edward Mannock. He originally flew a Nieuport 17, but with no success in battle. By the year's end McElroy was flying S.E.5s and claimed his first victory on 28 December.
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