Servicenummer 120401
Pilot of the Avro Lancaster III / ED613 / QR-F / Squadron 61
Flying Officer George Frederick Alderdice was serving with 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force and was flying in Lancaster III ED613 from Syerston to Essen in Germany.
He was the son of Gerald Leslie and Katherine Anne Hay Alderdice from Lisburn.
Flying Officer Alderdice was known as "Paddy" because he was from Northern Ireland and the photograph here shows him at a Girlfriends home in Macon, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1941. He had learned to fly in the United States under the Arnold Scheme and during his training he became a close friend of Arthur "Sandy" Sandison who was from the Shetland Islands.
They trained together for a year in Georgia, sharing a room throughout. After they had gained their wings in January 1942 they were both then enrolled as flying instructors for the next group of British recruits, remaining in Georgia for most of 1942.
George "Paddy" Alderdice was very sadly killed on his very first Operation.
Initially reported as "Missing"
In a letter to his Parents dated 3rd August 1943 Arthur Sandy Sandeion wrote:-
‘A terrible thing happened on last Sunday’s trip to Essen. Paddy did not return. Honestly it came as a terrible shock to me, and I still can hardly believe it. It was Paddy’s first operation with his crew. He was a long way behind me on this job and I wish I could have helped him on his way a bit. Anyone’s first trip is the worst one. There is so much to learn, and no second chances, as one mistake and you’ve had it. It was a tough target for a first trip too. Essen is considered the hottest spot in the Ruhr, and in Germany as it’s right in the middle of a big belt of defences. We were on but we didn’t hear a thing from Paddy’s crew, not that we ever do, so all that we can hope for is that they are prisoners of war – the next best thing.’
Son of Gerald Leslie and Katherine Anne Hay Alderdice, of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Pilot of the Avro Lancaster III / ED613 / QR-F / Squadron 61
Flying Officer George Frederick Alderdice was serving with 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force and was flying in Lancaster III ED613 from Syerston to Essen in Germany.
He was the son of Gerald Leslie and Katherine Anne Hay Alderdice from Lisburn.
Flying Officer Alderdice was known as "Paddy" because he was from Northern Ireland and the photograph here shows him at a Girlfriends home in Macon, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1941. He had learned to fly in the United States under the Arnold Scheme and during his training he became a close friend of Arthur "Sandy" Sandison who was from the Shetland Islands.
They trained together for a year in Georgia, sharing a room throughout. After they had gained their wings in January 1942 they were both then enrolled as flying instructors for the next group of British recruits, remaining in Georgia for most of 1942.
George "Paddy" Alderdice was very sadly killed on his very first Operation.
Initially reported as "Missing"
In a letter to his Parents dated 3rd August 1943 Arthur Sandy Sandeion wrote:-
‘A terrible thing happened on last Sunday’s trip to Essen. Paddy did not return. Honestly it came as a terrible shock to me, and I still can hardly believe it. It was Paddy’s first operation with his crew. He was a long way behind me on this job and I wish I could have helped him on his way a bit. Anyone’s first trip is the worst one. There is so much to learn, and no second chances, as one mistake and you’ve had it. It was a tough target for a first trip too. Essen is considered the hottest spot in the Ruhr, and in Germany as it’s right in the middle of a big belt of defences. We were on but we didn’t hear a thing from Paddy’s crew, not that we ever do, so all that we can hope for is that they are prisoners of war – the next best thing.’
Son of Gerald Leslie and Katherine Anne Hay Alderdice, of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Servicenummer 120401
Pilot of the Avro Lancaster III / ED613 / QR-F / Squadron 61
Flying Officer George Frederick Alderdice was serving with 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force and was flying in Lancaster III ED613 from Syerston to Essen in Germany.
He was the son of Gerald Leslie and Katherine Anne Hay Alderdice from Lisburn.
Flying Officer Alderdice was known as "Paddy" because he was from Northern Ireland and the photograph here shows him at a Girlfriends home in Macon, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1941. He had learned to fly in the United States under the Arnold Scheme and during his training he became a close friend of Arthur "Sandy" Sandison who was from the Shetland Islands.
They trained together for a year in Georgia, sharing a room throughout. After they had gained their wings in January 1942 they were both then enrolled as flying instructors for the next group of British recruits, remaining in Georgia for most of 1942.
George "Paddy" Alderdice was very sadly killed on his very first Operation.
Initially reported as "Missing"
In a letter to his Parents dated 3rd August 1943 Arthur Sandy Sandeion wrote:-
‘A terrible thing happened on last Sunday’s trip to Essen. Paddy did not return. Honestly it came as a terrible shock to me, and I still can hardly believe it. It was Paddy’s first operation with his crew. He was a long way behind me on this job and I wish I could have helped him on his way a bit. Anyone’s first trip is the worst one. There is so much to learn, and no second chances, as one mistake and you’ve had it. It was a tough target for a first trip too. Essen is considered the hottest spot in the Ruhr, and in Germany as it’s right in the middle of a big belt of defences. We were on but we didn’t hear a thing from Paddy’s crew, not that we ever do, so all that we can hope for is that they are prisoners of war – the next best thing.’
Son of Gerald Leslie and Katherine Anne Hay Alderdice, of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Pilot of the Avro Lancaster III / ED613 / QR-F / Squadron 61
Flying Officer George Frederick Alderdice was serving with 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force and was flying in Lancaster III ED613 from Syerston to Essen in Germany.
He was the son of Gerald Leslie and Katherine Anne Hay Alderdice from Lisburn.
Flying Officer Alderdice was known as "Paddy" because he was from Northern Ireland and the photograph here shows him at a Girlfriends home in Macon, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1941. He had learned to fly in the United States under the Arnold Scheme and during his training he became a close friend of Arthur "Sandy" Sandison who was from the Shetland Islands.
They trained together for a year in Georgia, sharing a room throughout. After they had gained their wings in January 1942 they were both then enrolled as flying instructors for the next group of British recruits, remaining in Georgia for most of 1942.
George "Paddy" Alderdice was very sadly killed on his very first Operation.
Initially reported as "Missing"
In a letter to his Parents dated 3rd August 1943 Arthur Sandy Sandeion wrote:-
‘A terrible thing happened on last Sunday’s trip to Essen. Paddy did not return. Honestly it came as a terrible shock to me, and I still can hardly believe it. It was Paddy’s first operation with his crew. He was a long way behind me on this job and I wish I could have helped him on his way a bit. Anyone’s first trip is the worst one. There is so much to learn, and no second chances, as one mistake and you’ve had it. It was a tough target for a first trip too. Essen is considered the hottest spot in the Ruhr, and in Germany as it’s right in the middle of a big belt of defences. We were on but we didn’t hear a thing from Paddy’s crew, not that we ever do, so all that we can hope for is that they are prisoners of war – the next best thing.’
Son of Gerald Leslie and Katherine Anne Hay Alderdice, of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Inscription
MY FATHER LOVES ME, BECAUSE I LAY DOWN MY LIFE, THAT I MIGHT TAKE IT AGAIN
Gravesite Details
Flying Officer (Pilot), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Age: 21.
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