Thomas A. Brannagan D.F.C.

 

 

Thomas A. Brannagan was born in Hamilton, Scotland on March 30, 1918.  He emigrated to Canada with his family at the age of twelve.

 

Thomas grew up in east Windsor and attended St. Jules Elementary, St. Josephs High School and complete business courses at Windsor Vocational School.

 

He was a member of the Essex Scottish Army Reserve and later enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force.  Thomas began his pilot training, flying Fleet Finch II’s in October, 1941 at Cap De La Madeleine, Québec.  He was then posted to Moncton, New Brunswick, where he graduated to flying the Harvard II.  His training took him to Tern Hill, Milfield and Brunton, Newfoundland where he began flying the Hurricane I.

 

On March 2, 1943, Thomas was sent overseas and flew Spitfire Mk Vb’s and Mk IX’s with 403 RCAF Squadron at Kenley Air Base, Surrey, England.  In March of 1944 he was transferred to 441 Squadron RCAF.  He flew four missions over the Normandy beaches on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

 

Thomas was promoted to Squadron Leader of 441 on June 30, 1944.  On July 13, 1944 he led his twelve Spitfires against an equal number of Focke Wulf 190’s.  At the end of the engagement 10 enemy aircraft were destroyed without the loss of a single Canadian aircraft.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts.

 

On August 15, 1944, during the Battle of the Falaise Gap, Thomas’ Spitfire was hit by flak while on a low level strafing run.  Severely wounded and losing blood, he force-landed his aircraft behind enemy lines.  He was soon captured and spent the duration of the war in captivity.

 

In January of 1945 he began the long forced march to freedom with thousands of other Allied airmen.

 

Thomas returned to Windsor after the war and married Bobette Paisley of Amherstburg, Ontario.  Together they raised a family of ten children.  Thomas had a successful career in automotive retailing and was Owner/Operator of Parkview Lincoln Mercury in Windsor.

 

He passed away in June of 1978.