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The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J McAdam

 

John McAdam was born in Gillingham, Kent on 21st March 1919, the son of John Lusk Torrens McAdam and Lily Margaret McAdam (nee Perks).

The family was from Whitehead in County Antrim but his father was serving in an Army garrison in Kent at the time. John Jnr. grew up in Whitehead, attended the Public Elementary School and subsequently went to the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.

He joined the RAFVR on 28th April 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

He was called to full-time service at the outbreak of war, went to 4 ITW Bexhill on 30th October and moved on to 6 FTS Little Rissington on 9th December. With the course completed, McAdam was posted to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 19th June 1940.

After converting to Spitfires he joined 41 Squadron at Catterick.

 

 

McAdam claimed a Do17 destroyed on 7th September. On this day he crashed at Leonard Drive, Drakes Farm, Rayleigh after a combat over Hornchurch in Spitfire P9430. The aircraft partially burned out and was written off. McAdam was unhurt.

On the 23rd he was shot down during a squadron patrol off Dover in Spitfire N3118. McAdam baled out, was rescued from the sea and admitted to Dover Hospital.

He crashed at Globe Road, Hornchurch on 12th October after his engine cut on take-off. On the 25th McAdam claimed a Me109 destroyed.

He was shot down by Major Molders on 20th February 1941 over Dover, in Spitfire P7302. He baled out but was picked up dead from the sea.

McAdam is buried in Ballyharry Cemetery, Island Magee, County Antrim.


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