1921 (Approximate) - June 27, 1995
Ed Flanagan was a pilot with 440 Squadron during the Second World War. He was from Ottawa, Ontario, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Flanagan.
Flanagan earned his wings as a Sgt pilot SN R102774 at 8 SFTS on Course 62: August 15 - December 3, 1942. He reached the rank of WO2 until commissioned to P/O J89136 in July 1944. He reported to 440 Sqn for flying duties on 7 December 1944. He was wounded on the ground on 1 January 1945 during the Luftwaffe attack on B78 Eindhoven. He was away from the squadron for 3 months returning on 2 April having been on the books of 83 GSU while recuperating in the UK. Flanagan was promoted Flying Officer in May 45 but with effective date back to 28 January 1945. He was posted to 421 Sqn RCAF on 22 July 1945.
From Aviation Safety Network's website: "The aircraft was damaged by Luftwaffe fighters on the taxi run, during operation 'Bodenplatte'. A nearby bomb blast injured the pilot with multiple shrapnel wounds and a damaged eye. The Canadian pilot, J/89136 P/O Edward Theodore Flanagan, seriously injured. He was away from the unit for 3 months."
His activities between January 1943 and December 1944 are largely unknown. He was in the UK in February 1943 at RAF Burnaston near Derby as he was billeted nearby. Logically, he would have spent about 3 months going through 3 PRC, OTU, 3 TEU and 83 GSU prior to going to 440; potentially arriving in the UK in August or September 1944. His WO2 rank suggests he flew in Canada in a home squadron or school, but this is merely a guess based on odds, he could have been an NCO pilot on a fighter unit in the UK also.
There are photos of Ed Flanagan in Typhoon and Tempest by Hugh Halliday, from 1991 and 1992.
See obituary for his post-war career. SunPac foods was a beverage manufacturer.