Virgil Paul (Brennan of Malta) BRENNAN DFC, DFM

BRENNAN, Virgil Paul

Service Number: 404692
Enlisted: 8 November 1940
Last Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Last Unit: No. 79 Squadron (RAAF)
Born: Warwick, Queensland, Australia, 6 March 1920
Home Town: Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling: Christian Brothers School, Warwick & Brisbane State High School, Queensland, Australia
Occupation: Law student
Died: Flying Accident, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 13 June 1943, aged 23 years
Cemetery: Townsville War Cemetery, Queensland, Australia
Plot A, Row D, Grave 12
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane State High School Honour Board
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World War 2 Service

8 Nov 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 404692, Brisbane, Queensland
8 Nov 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404692
9 Nov 1940: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404692, Air War SW Pacific 1941-45
13 Jun 1943: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404692, No. 79 Squadron (RAAF)

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Biography

Virgil Paul BRENNAN was born in Warwick, Queensland on 6th March, 1920

His parents were Edgar James BRENNAN and Katherine O'SULLIVAN

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Service number: 404692

Rank: Flight Lieutenant

Unit: 79 Squadron

Service: Royal Australian Air Force

Conflict: 1939-1945

Date of death: 13 June 1943

Place of death: Townsville, Queensland

Cause of death: Accidental

Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force

Two Spitfires from 79 Squadron RAAF collided when landing at Garbutt aerodrome on Sunday 13 June 1943.

Flight Lieutenant Virgil Paul Brennan (404692), DFC, DFM, was killed when his Spitfire EE 954 caught fire.  He was buried at the Townsville War Cemetery, Grave Reference/Panel No. A.D.12. Virgil, or Paul as he was known, was one of four sons of the late Mr Edgar James Brennan and Mrs Katherine Brennan who was living at Hendra at the time of her sons death. Paul was born in Warwick, Queensland on 6 March 1920. He was 23 years old at the time of his death. Flt. Lt. Brennan was en route to join 452 Squadron RAAF at the time of this accident. Prior to being in 79 Squadron RAAF, he had been in 64 and 249 Squadrons RAF and had served at Malta. He had been credited with 10 kills during combat missions. He was a co-author of a 96 page book "Spitfires over Malta" published in London in 1943 by Jarrolds. He became known as "Brennan of Malta".

The squadron designations for the two aircraft were UPK and UBH.

The other pilot, Sergeant (newly appointed) Gardner, survived the writeoff of his Spitfire JG 897.

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