Flight Lieutenant Hugh Macivor Given (112706) served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Born in September 1914, he was the youngest son of the late Robert Given JP and Kathleen Given (née Oliver) of Markstown, Cullybackey, Co. Antrim.
Given attended Ballymena Academy Grammar School, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. He graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1934 as a qualified medical doctor with an MB BCh BAO. Before the outbreak of war, he practised in Belfast, Omagh, Dungiven, and on the Ards Peninsula.
Hugh joined RAF 27 Squadron in 1941. This new RAF 27 Squadron formed in India on 19 September 1942. They flew Bristol Beaufighters on ground-attack sorties over Burma and on anti-shipping strikes.
While home on leave, Given married Margaret Helen Thompson of The Warrens, Broughshane, Co. Antrim in 1942. Known as Helen, she hailed from Yorkshire but lived in Broughshane and taught at Downpatrick High School, Co. Down. Flight Lieutenant Given died on 8th February 1943 aged 28 years old only four months after his wedding to Helen.
Hugh Macivor Given’s grave is in Section 8, Row E, Grave 7 of Ranchi War Cemetery, India. His headstone bears the inscription:
He lives in the hearts of those who loved him.