James Fitzmaurice (pilot)
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James Fitzmaurice DFC |
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James Fitzmaurice
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| Birth name | James Michael Fitzmaurice |
| Born |
6 January 1898 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 26 September 1965 (aged 67) Dublin, Ireland |
| Allegiance |
 British Empire (1916–21) Ireland (1921–) |
| Service/branch |
British Army Royal Air Force Irish Air Corps |
| Rank | RAF: Air Corps: Commandant |
| Unit |
17th Lancers Liverpool Irish No. 25 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held | Irish Air Corps |
| Battles/wars | Battle of the Somme (1916) |
| Spouse(s) | Violet "Bill" Clarke |
| Other work | Insurance salesman |
James Michael Christopher Fitzmaurice DFC (6 January 1898 – 26 September 1965) was an Irish aviation pioneer. He was a member of the crew of the Bremen, which made the first successful Trans-Atlantic aircraft flight from East to West on 12–13 April 1928.
Fitzmaurice was born in Dublin, Ireland on 6 January 1898. His parents were Michael FitzMaurice and Mary Agnes O'Riordan. The family resided at 35 Mountjoy Cottages on Dublin's North Circular Road.
On 23 May 1902, at the age of four, Fitzmaurice moved with his parents to a house on Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Ireland. Fitzmaurice attended St. Mary's, a Christian Brothers School in Maryborough (Portlaoise) until shortly before his 16th birthday.
In 1914 he joined the Irish National Volunteers. Later that year, he enlisted in the Cadet Company of the 7th Battalion of the Leinsters. He was then 16 years of age although the required minimum age was 19. Fitzmaurice was taken out by his father for being underage.
In 1915, Fitzmaurice enlisted in the British Army, 17th Lancers (a cavalry unit). He was sent to France, was wounded, and was twice recommended for a commission. He arrived in France circa May 1916. He was then posted to another English unit, the 7th Battalion of the Queen's Royal (West Surrey) Regiment of Foot as an acting sergeant. It was part of the 55th Brigade in the British 55th (West Lancashire) Division. In July 1916, he fought in the Battle of the Somme.
On his 19th birthday in January 1917, Fitzmaurice held the rank of Corporal, was an acting Sergeant, and commanded Platoon No. 13 of D Company, 7th Queen's. He was approved for a commission in May. On 8 June, Fitzmaurice left for England "to take up commission". He was sent for training to Cadet College and gazetted to the 8th (Irish) Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) as a Second Lieutenant on 28 November 1917. Fitzmaurice was then posted to the School of Military Aeronautics at Reading. 1 June 1918 Fitzmaurice began his "practical flying training" at Eastbourne Aerodrome. On 28 October 1918, having completed his elementary training at Eastbourne, Fitzmaurice was posted to the No. 1 School of Fighting and Aerial Gunnery at Marske-by-the-Sea, near Middlesbrough. He completed his training as a fighter pilot and was posted to sail to France on 11 November 1918, the day that the Armistice with Germany became effective. His sailing was cancelled when the Armistice was announced.
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