June 21. DCM for WW1 Ballymena Gunner. WW2 Naval pilot was Japanese POW. Roll of Honour

This day in 1916 Joseph Francey a Ballymena Gunner was awarded the DCM. Henry McGowan from Portstewart died in WW1 serving with RMLI – Royal Marine Light Infantry. In 1942 James McAlister from Bushmills died in P 514 submarine off Newfoundland and the same day in Lybia two Newtownards Gunners fell. In 1944 Thomas McLaughlin from Coleraine fell in Italy with Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. On this day naval air pilot Basil Aldwell whose father was rector of St George’s Parish Church, Belfast, was taken prisoner by Japanese forces. His health suffered considerably from their regime. Photo – CWGC Jerusalem War Cemetery, Mount Scopos. For today’s report, click here –