(Picture above is reproduced from the 550 Squadron Association website. )
No. 37385, 550 Squdaron. Died 15 July 1944 aged 30.
Patrick is buried in BUSSY-LA-COTE CHURCHYARD, France
He was born in Hasketon Grange in 1914, son of Royal Marine Colonel William Edward Connolly and Ethel, (nee Harris). He was husband of Bernice Connolly of Tonbridge, Kent.
Patrick was the leader of 550 Squadron RAF Bomber Command, piloting the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber. On the night of 15th August 1944 he and his crew, in aircraft LL837, took part in an attack against the Station and Railway line at Revigny, France. The attack was aborted due to poor weather conditions over the target, but sadly Patrick’s aircraft was shot down on the way home near the village of Bussy-la-Cote, with the loss of all seven members of the crew.
In July 2019 a memorial was unveiled to the crew in Busy-la-Cote. The 550 Squadron Association website includes a page on the unveiling.
