Corporal Samuel McGowan

Samuel McGowan was the son of Joseph and Rebecca McGowan, of County Donegal, Eire, he enlisted in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and volunteered for airborne forces.

His father, Joseph, was a member of 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and died of wounds on 27 April 1916, aged 38, and is buried in Authuile Military Cemetery, Somme, France.

Corporal McGowan successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 69, from 21 June to 1 July 1943. His course report stated “Confident and reliable”. He was posted to 12th (10th Battalion, The Green Howards [Yorkshire Regiment]) Bn., the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy).

Cpl McGowan was killed in action on 9 June 1944, age 35, and was buried in Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France.

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