The Association has learned of the death of Lt(A) John Terence O’Driscoll RNVR on 11 September 2017. He died peacefully at Epsom Hospital.
From Records
Johnny served from July 1941 to May 1946.
As a Pilot he flew with 759 NAS (1943), 771 NAS (1943/44), 1772 NAS (1944/45) and 766 NAS (1946).
Extract from ‘The Friendly Squadron 1772 Naval Air Squadron 1944 – 1945’ Compiled and Edited by Teddy Key
Johnny O’Driscoll
Pilot
‘I was born on 3rd February 1924 at Walton-on-the –Hill, Surrey. I was educated at Mere View School, Reigate Grammar School and the London Orphan School, which is now Reed’s School, Cobham. I gained exemption from London Matriculation via the Cambridge School Certificate. I was School Vice-Captain, House Captain and I gained 1st XV Colours at Rugby Football. I left school in July 1940 and was employed by Wallace Brothers in the City of London. They were private bankers and East India Merchants. I joined the Home Guard and did fire-watching in the city. I volunteered for the Fleet Air Arm in February 1941 and joined the Navy at HMS Royal Arthur in July 1941, Course 232. My first major contribution to the war was guarding the East Coast at Skegness from the roof of Butlins, against the might of Germany. I was at St Vincent, Gosport on a TAG Course and then went to HMS Kestrel. Again I was involved in a major role of World War II. I was on Hangar Guard and aerodrome defence from a slit trench, all in the defence of the realm. A week in the Winchester Hospital with pneumonia was an apt reward for this selflessness in those inclement conditions. I remustered to a Pilot’s course and so back to HMS Daedalus at Lee-on-Solent to wait for a course vacancy. Meantime, further guard duties at Shoot Farm and one week on the Isle of Wight defending the shoreline. HMS St Vincent followed and thence to Elementary Flying School at Sealand near Chester. I was shipped to Canada on HMT Beaverhill. My skills and keen eyesight were by now well known and I was placed on Submarine watch on the bridge…… this time with blinding toothache. Senior Flying School at Kingston, Ontarion was successful, I gained my ‘Wings’ and was shipped home in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth, a reward no doubt for my unstinting devotion to many hours on guard duty. At HMS Heron at Yeovilton I joined 759 Squadron, No. 40 Course, Advanced Flying School. Before joining 1772 Squadron on 1st May 1944 I was posted for a spell to 771 Squadron at RNAS Twatt, a Fleet Requirement Unit, doing air exercises with Royal Naval ships out of Scapa flow.’
Johnny O’Driscoll teamed up with Geoff Rham, being ‘the last two unattached aircrew in the crew room.’ One has often wondered how the system of crewing worked under Gough. Johnny was on the 40th Pilot’s Course at Yeovilton with Burn O’Neill, Maurice Goodsell, Rod Stevens and Jackie Ramsden.
Johnny’s story is a delightful play-down of his true contribution….maybe due to a residue of the Irish in his bloodstream! He was and is a laughing guy, an upbeat fellow whose observations of pilot training in slit trenches and the development of a keen and watchful eye are a droll distortion of the main facts.
Photos:
Johnny with Great Grandson Jude
Johnny in uniform