Sergeant Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin (1796421) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. Born on 25th July 1923, he was the eldest son of Joseph Geddis Loughrin and Maude Evelyn Loughrin (née Sharpe) of Mackney Road, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.
He attended Cookstown High School, Cookstown, Co Tyrone and before the outbreak of the Second World War, Loughrin worked as an engineer. His employer was Messrs. Greeves Ltd., Falls Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim. He brought those engineering skills with him when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in April 1943. In December 1943, he gained his Sergeant’s stripes.
Death in Lincolnshire
He died on 29th February 1944 aged 20 years old. He was the Flight Engineer on Handley-Page Halifax JD386 of RAF No. 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit when it took off at 1230hrs from RAF Wombleton, Yorkshire. The bomber was on a training exercise when it came down in a spiral dive killing all 8 crew members. Witnesses suggested the pilot was attempting to control the plane with the throttle so the rudder may have stalled.
Halifax JD386 came down at Bridge Farm near Broughton, Lincolnshire at 1710hrs on 29th February 1944 and caught fire.
Remembering the crew of Halifax JD386
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eaton | John Burgess | Flying Officer | Air Bomber | RCAF J/28076. Killed. |
| Emms | Philip Leslie | Sergeant | Air Gunner | RAFVR 1813155. Killed. |
| Healey | Joseph M | Warrant Officer | Wireless Operator / Air Gunner | RCAF R/96219. Killed. |
| Loughrin | Robert Thomas Garth | Sergeant | Flight Engineer | RAFVR 1796421. Killed. |
| Muskett | George Lindley | Flying Officer | Navigator | RCAF J/26289. Killed. |
| Sigurdson | Johann | Pilot Officer | Pilot | RCAF J/19620. Killed. |
| Wilt | Frances Elvin | Sergeant | Air Gunner | RCAF R/192018. Killed. |
| Zayets | Peter | Sergeant | Air Gunner | RCAF R/124095. Killed. |
Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin’s grave is in Section F, Row B, Grave 17 of Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate, Yorkshire. His headstone bears the inscription:
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
His name is also on the Cookstown War Memorial, Cookstown, Co Tyrone and the Roll of Honour at Orritor Presbyterian Church, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.