News / Obituaries
Bristol RAF pilot who served in Second World War dies aged 102
The funeral was held on Thursday for a 102-year-old man from Bristol who was one of the final few World War Two veterans.
Squadron leader John McGrory’s s time in the RAF involved flying heavy bomber planes and taking part in crucial war missions.
Born in Manchester on July 31, 1921, John grew up studying at Xaverian College and Manchester College of Technology.
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After leaving school, he briefly delved into the world of engineering, before being called up to the RAF in 1942.
John in 1942 when he was called up to the RAF
The following summer he was chosen for flying training in Canada where he was awarded his wings and promoted to Sergeant.
There he met his wife Joan, whom he had met in the spring of 1944, and married the next month.
In the next few years of his life, John was promoted to flight lieutenant, and was involved in flying heavy bomber planes and also took part in missions such as Operation Manna, which involved dropping aid the starving Dutch who were under German occupation at the time.
John’s medals awarded by the Dutch Government for his involvement in Operation Manna in 1945
John retired from the RAF in 1976, at which point he had become a qualified flying instructor and was flying planes across the country in cities such as Birmingham and Bristol – where he moved to in 2014.
In recognition of his work during the war, John was promoted to squadron leader and was awarded an MBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
John (second right) with his 625 squadron RAF Scampton Lancaster crew in 1945
At age 100, John celebrated his birthday with a letter from both the Pope and the Queen.
John passed away on March 8 in Westbury-on-Trym, leaving his four children, Roger, Pauline, Anthony and the late Christopher, as well as seven grandchildren and ten grandchildren, with one on the way.
All photos courtesy of Gemma Clement
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