McCOY – Lacombe Alphonsus
[Picture: Dominica Legion, a branch of the Royal Commonwealth Ex Servicemen League, courtesy Gabriel Christian]
1394216 – L.A.A. McCoy – Leeward & Windward Islands – attested 17.7.41 – Ach/Obs
P/O – commissioned 17.10.42- Missing believed killed
[Source: NA AIR 2/6876 - Nominal Roll of Coloured Candidates, October 1944]
This stamp was issued in 1998 to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force. It reflect the portraits of Dominicans who served with Honor as RAF Aircrew. From left to right; Wallace Wordsworth Plenderlieth, L.A. McKoy, Harold Cherberd Bryant, DFC, Clifford Severin, Edward Dyrample (AKA Edward Scobie). McKoy, Bryant and Osmunde St. Claire Alleyne were killed in action. Their names are on the cenotaph on Victoria Street Roseau next to the battlements of the old British Army Fort Young (within which a modern hotel now nestles – cannons and all). Every year the aged veterans (very few left), the Police, Scouts, Girl Guides and Army Cadets of the Dominica Cadet Corps parade by in honor to men who are considered heroes for the gallant service rendered in the fight for democracy and freedom.
Grave Reference: Panel 7, Column 1.
[Courtesy Gabriel Christian]
Aircrew PO Lacombe Alphonsus, MCCOY
Service No: 130839 Service: RAFVR
Nationality: Dominica
Disposal: KIA Date Died: 11 Apr 1943
Buried At: Malta Memorial
Grave/Memorial : Panel 7, Column 1.
Source(s): cwgc, Trinidad Guardian 7 Jan 1943, 2 Jul 1943
April 29th, 2009 at 12:35 pmMy father, Wellesley Winston Whyte (Jamaica) fought for England with the RAF in WW2.
I would be keen to meet anyone that knew him. He was very tall, and 17 when he left Jamaica and at the time he enrolled, he was living in Montego Bay, son of policeman George Samuel Whyte.
Thanks
May 7th, 2009 at 11:45 pmLivia
liviaberry@yahoo.com