F/O Terence James McGrath 432441 RAAF
16.10.1922 to 4.11.1944
Terence was the son of Edward and Mary Ann McGrath who lived in Paddington, New South Wales, Australia. He had a fiancee, Miss Margaret Kidd, who lived in Bondi, NSW.
Terence had been an accounts clerk before he enlisted into the RAAF on 22nd December 1942 in Sydney, NSW.
He was granted a commission (made an officer) on 8th December 1943 even though it shows his rank was only an L.A.C., and awarded his Air Gunners Badge and Flying Badge on the 9th December 1943. This demonstrates how quickly young men were promoted during the war.
He was discharged from the RAAF and then embarked at Sydney on 27th January 1944 for a 7 week boat trip to Britain. He disembarked in the UK on 12th March 1944.
Terence then had different postings until he joined 158 Squadron on 30th October 1944.
Although an Air Gunner he was the wireless operator on Halifax LV 771 which was shot down en route for Bochum, Germany on 4th November 1944.
He was granted a commission (made an officer) on 8th December 1943 even though it shows his rank was only an L.A.C., and awarded his Air Gunners Badge and Flying Badge on the 9th December 1943. This demonstrates how quickly young men were promoted during the war.
He was discharged from the RAAF and then embarked at Sydney on 27th January 1944 for a 7 week boat trip to Britain. He disembarked in the UK on 12th March 1944.
Terence then had different postings until he joined 158 Squadron on 30th October 1944.
Although an Air Gunner he was the wireless operator on Halifax LV 771 which was shot down en route for Bochum, Germany on 4th November 1944.
He was first interred by the Germans in a communal grave in Wetten Cemetery with the other members of his crew who died.
After the war they were all re-interred in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Terence is buried in plot 14, row F, grave number 5.
After the war they were all re-interred in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Terence is buried in plot 14, row F, grave number 5.
His location on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra is panel 126 in the commemorative area.
The above information was kindly provided by Sylvia Bridger from Australian Archive documents and family letters.
The above information was kindly provided by Sylvia Bridger from Australian Archive documents and family letters.
F/O Terence McGrath is remembered on the Walls of Names at International Bomber Command Centre just outside Lincoln. Nearly 58000 men and women serving or supporting Bomber Command during WW2 are remembered on these Walls.
Diane Rogers leaving a poppy on the Wall bearing F/O Terence McGrath's name.
The Spire Memorial and some of the Walls of Names at International Bomber Command Centre Lincoln
Photograph courtesy of Diane Rogers
Photograph courtesy of Diane Rogers
York Minster Astronomical Clock and Book of Remembrance
In York Minster, there is this beautiful memorial to the men of the Royal Air Force working from bases in Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland who were killed in WW2. In this glass case, there is a Book remembering every Airman who died in WW2. The photo above shows the page with Flying Officer Terence McGrath's name on it (4th from bottom, right hand column). The staff at the Minster were more than happy to open the glass case and turn the pages of the Book to the relevant page for each of the 5 crew of Rosie Galapagos who died on 4th November 1944.
Photographs all taken by Nick Corps August 2023.
Photographs all taken by Nick Corps August 2023.
Lissett Airfield Wind Farm and RAF Lissett, Driffield, Yorkshire
The names of the 851 Airmen from 158 Squadron are etched on the front and back of the steel Memorial.
Photographs taken by Nick & Sally Corps August 2023