McKitrick, Roderick Alexander

Squadron Leader Roderick Alexander McKitrick DFC (later Colonel)

was the son of George Evelyn McKitrick (born at 4 Kinnaird Street, Belfast on 2nd August 1879) and educated at Campbell College, Lower VI in 1895.

 
In 1901,George (21, Bank Clerk & was later to be Roderick's father) lived in house 122.1 Duncairn Street, Belfast with his parents and 3 siblings; Mary (29), Ethel (18) and Mary (16).

By 1911 George is living in house 53, Antrim Road, Belfast with his parents and sister, Ann. George is described as a Bank Clerk and works for the Belfast Bank in Head Office.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Belfast

Roderick A McKitrick was born on 14th March 1922 to George McKitrick and ? McKitrick nee Woods. His birth was registered in Larne. Roderick followed his father into the Belfast Banking Company after passing his bank entrance examination as reported in the Northern Whig of 29th April 1938:

It is interesting to note that Messrs Charlton, Connor and Stutt also volunteered and enlisted into the services during World War 2.

Roderick volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery as a Gunner. In 1941 he transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with Service Number: 149126 and promotions are recorded as:

• 14th May 1943 - Pilot Officer (on probation)
• 14th November 1943 - Flying Officer (on probation)
• 14th May 1945 - Squadron Leader

Roderick flew with No. 44 and No. 138 Squadrons. With No. 138 Squadron he was involved in dropping of Secret Agents in SOE operations. During Operation Draughts & Backgammon with Short Stirling Mk IV NF-J, LK200 in the night of 8th/9th September 1944, the plane hit the cable of a barrage balloon at 02.50 hours over Texel, the Netherlands and crashed.

 
Of the crew Flying Officer Thomas Roger Court, Flying Officer John Hulme and Flying Officer George Evans Fletcher Walton died in the crash. They later were buried at the cemetery at Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands.

 
Squadron Leader G.M. Rothwell, Flying Officer McKitrick, Pilot Officer Shaw and Flight Sergeant R.W. Wilmott were taken prisoner. Roderick Alexander McKitrick was imprisoned at POW camp L1 (Staluft 4B/L1) at Barth together with Rothwell and Shaw.

R A McKitrick - Prisoner of War (POW) Record

Flying Officer McKitrick was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 23rd May 1944 (published without citation).

The website, harringtonmuseum.org.uk records McKitrick's plane crash over Holland. Similar detail as above.

The Western Morning News of 10th January 1945 reports that R A McKitrick is 'missing':

Following demobilisation, it is not clear if McKitrick returned to employment in the Belfast Banking Company.

 
However, the London Gazette continue the reporting of a R A McKitrick DFC as follows:

• 28th July 1953 commission relinquished, Flight Lieutenant on transfer to Army
• 25th September 1953 promotion from Lieutenant to Captain with Officer Number 429994 Royal Army Education Corps (seniority back to 1950).
• 25th December 1953 seniority as Lieutenant (back to 4th May 1945).
• 1st November 1957 promotion to Major (4th November 1957).
• 27th January 1967 promotion to Lieutenant Colonel (31st December 1966).
• 8th January 1974 promotion to Colonel (back to 30th June 1973) - from R.A.E.C.

Roderick McKitrick died aged 92 on 24th April 2014 at Salisbury, Wiltshire.