Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Guardsman John Corkan (1917 - 1943)


 
(Top): Guardsman John Corkan (1917 - 1943)
Died of wounds in Tunisia, 1 May 1943.
Photograph: Courtesy of 'The Whitehaven News'. 

(Bottom): Frizington (St Joseph's) War Memorial.  
[John Corkan is one of those commemorated]

For additional information click on 'Comments' below. 

1 Comments:

Blogger ritsonvaljos said...

Additional information

Some biographical details

Guardsman John Corkan (1917 - 1943) with family links to Cleator Moor and Frizington, Cumberland (now Cumbria) served with the Irish Guards during WW2. He died of wounds in Tunisia on 1 May 1943 while serving with the 1st Battalion and is buried in Oued Zarga War Cemetery, Tunisia (Grave Ref. 1.E.23).

Guardsman John Corkan was the second son of Edward Corkan and Jane Corkan (née Murphy). He was one of six siblings - the other children of the family being Mary (born 1912), Thomas (born 1914), Margaret (born 1920), Bridget (born 1923) and Edward (born 1926).

Before enlisting with the army, John Corkan had moved to Oxfordshire where he was employed in the Morris Cowley Works, Oxford. At the time of his death in 1943, John Corkan's parents were living at Nook Street, Frizington.

A keen sportsman, John Corkan had been injured playing football for his battalion early in 1943 and had been sent home on sick leave while recovering. He had returned to his unit in North Africa about 7 weeks before he met with his death.

John Corkan is commemorated on the Frizington Village War Memorial, the St Joseph's R.C. Church War Memorial and the Cleator Moor 'Roll of Honour'.
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CWGC citation

This is the Commonwealth War Graves citation for Guardsman John Corkan, 1st Battalion Irish Guards:

Name: CORKAN, JOHN
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2720246
Date of Death: 01/05/1943
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Irish Guards, 1st Bn.
Grave Reference: 1. E. 23.
Cemetery: OUED ZARGA WAR CEMETERY, Tunisia.

Additional Information:
Son of Edward and Jane Corkan, of Frizington, Cumberland.
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Dedication and family tributes

This article is dedicated to the memory of Guardsman John Corkan, Irish Guards.
May he rest in peace.

The following notice was placed in the 'Family Notices' section of 'The Whitehaven News' (Thursday 20 May 1943) by the family of Guardsman John Corkan:

"ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Corkan -
Killed in action overseas on May 1st, Guardsman John Corkan, beloved son of Edward and Jane Corkan, Dyke Nook, Frizington.
On whose soul, Sweet Jesus, have mercy".

The following year (27 April 1944) Guardsman John Corkan's family placed the following commemorative tribute to his memory in 'The Whitehaven News':

"ROLL OF HONOUR

Corkan -
In loving memory of Guardsman John Corkan, Irish Guards, who died of wounds, on May 1 1943 in North Africa.
May he rest in peace.
Ever remembered by his Mother, Father, Sisters and Brother".
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Acknowledgements

Cumbria County Archives & Local History Centre
(Whitehaven Records Office)

The Whitehaven News
+++++++++++++++

Tuesday, 20 November, 2012  

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