larrydoherty

Lawrence (Larry) Aloysius Doherty - Mustang Mk. I (P-51A) RCAF 414 Squadron

(click on images to enlarge)

photos and information courtesy of Christopher C. Clarke, P. Eng

On June 6, 1943, Flight Officer Lawrence (Larry) Aloysius Doherty, age 25, was killed in action.

"As FW‘s Dived Out of Sun He Radioed Warning To His Mate - Last act of bravery saved his friend.

F/O Larry Doherty, of Toronto, sacrificed his life in an action which enabled a friend, F/O Rowan T. Hutchinson, of New Liskeard, Ont., to beat off three F.W.190’s attempting to attack a British ship.

The two RCAF pilots attached to the squadron of W/C Roy Begg, of Vancouver were doing escort duty when the action that cost Doherty's life took place.

Hutchinson says it was a warning from Doherty that saved his life and enabled him to protect the convoy from the Germans. He was flying in the lead when Doherty radioed, ”Look out, Hutch”. He looked around just in time to see Doherty circle and then crash into the sea, victim of the surprise assault.

"Larry saved my life." says Hutchinson, "He was behind me and he must have seen the tracers from the 190’s. The warning gave me time to take evasive action. The Germans came right out of the sun for us."

"They kept up the attack on me for 10 or 15 minutes," he concluded, "but they didn’t tackle the ship. I got in a couple of bursts and kept climbing, but we never got far from the ship. They finally headed away and I continued the escort work. I don't think they were very good pilots or they would have got me sure."

F/O Doherty is now listed as missing, believed killed in action."

Photos from 414 Squadron from the collection of the late Flt/Lt Fred Clarke