Sergeant Terence McCorry (522577) served in the Royal Air Force during World War Two. He served with RAF 95 Squadron in West Africa at the time of his death in 1941.
He was the son of Michael McCorry and Teresa McCorry of Belfast, Co. Antrim. He was the husband of Mary McCorry of Belfast, Co. Antrim.
Sergeant McCorry died at 1225hrs on 14th November 1941 aged 28 years old. He was an air gunner on board Short Sunderland L5803 flying with RAF 95 Squadron. Records list his place of death as RAF Mount Batten, a flying boat base in Plymouth, United Kingdom.
RAF 95 Squadron had left the UK for Freetown, Sierra Leone on 17th March 1941. They remained there for the following two years. While flying over the Bay of Biscay, Sunderland L5803 engaged a Focke Wulf FW 200 Condor of 3/KG 40.
Men of the Royal Air Force attaching a tow line to the flying boat Short Sunderland L5803 of R.A.F. 230 Squadron. The plane was struck off charge on 22nd August 1942. L5803 served with 230, 228, 95, and 204 squadrons during the Second World War. Photo from People's Collection Wales. Copyright unknown.
The Sunderland pilot, Flying Officer Henry Ronald Bailey managed to guide the damaged flying boat back to UK waters. He received a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross on 16th March 1943 for his actions.
On one occasion he was pilot of a Sunderland flying boat when it was attacked by a Focke-Wulf Kurier over the Bay of Biscay. The first burst of enemy fire killed one of the mid-gunners and rendered the rear turret useless. The aircraft was holed in many places but, by skilful manoeuvring, Flying Officer Bailey continued the combat and drove off the attacker. On return to base, although the hull of the flying boat had been holed in many places below the water line, this officer successfully descended on the water without further mishap. He is an excellent pilot who has been a source of inspiration to the other members of his squadron.
Flying Officer Henry Roland Bailey’s DFC and Bar Citation.
Belfast-born Sergeant McCorry was the gunner referred to in this action. The rest of the crew survived the skirmish with the Focke-Wulf FW 200 Condor.
Terence McCorry’s grave is in Section A, Row GF, Grave 27 of Milltown Cemetery, Belfast, Co. Antrim. His headstone bears the inscription:
On his soul, sweet Jesus, have mercy.