The Airmen's Stories - Sub/Lt. (FAA) H W Beggs

Henry William Beggs was born on 6th September 1915 at Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. His parents were John Alexander Beggs MRCVS and Nancy Beggs.

He joined the RAF as a candidate for a short service commission in November 1936.

He was commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer, completed his training at Scottish Aviation Prestwick and was posted to 115 (Bomber) Squadron on 4th September 1937.

For reasons unknown Beggs' commission was terminated on 28th December 1937.

Beggs joined the Fleet Air Arm in May 1939. He was attached to the RAF on 15th June 1940, converted to Hurricanes and joined 151 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on 1st July.

He destroyed a Me109 of 4/JG 52 over Kent on 14th August. The next day Beggs was shot down, in Hurricane P3605, in combat with Me109s over Dover and crashed at Shorncliffe, wounded.

He returned to the FAA shortly afterwards.

He married Patricia Fiona Rosemary Parkin in Chelsea in January 1942 but was almost immediately posted to 883 Squadron (FAA).

He was lost when HMS Avenger was sunk by a U-boat on 15th November 1942 while returning to the Clyde from the landings in North Africa.

Beggs was 25 is remembered on the Lee-on-Solent FAA Memorial.

Above: his death notices have a first name of Michael.