Smiths Falls Record News
By Josh Vincent
The following is part of a series of research papers completed by Grade 10 History students at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute as part of the Lest We Forget program. The features focus on residents of Smiths Falls who made the supreme sacrifice for their country during World War II.
Richard John Joseph Monaghan was a 24-year-old soldier who died while fighting overseas during the Second World War.
He was born on September 20th, 1919 in Smiths Falls, Ontario to Anne Elizabeth Monaghan and William John Monaghan. Richard had five brothers: Fred Monaghan (born in 1923), Charles Monaghan (born in 1928), Edward Monaghan (born in 1931), Patrick Monaghan (born in 1934), and Michael Monaghan (born in 1936). He also had five sisters: Ann Monaghan (born in 1924), Margret Monaghan (born in 1926), Cline Monaghan (born in 1929), Mary Monaghan (born in 1932), and Sandra Monaghan (born in 1939). He was never married and had no children.
Richard completed elementary school at St. Francis Elementary School in Smiths Falls, Ontario from 1925 to 1932. He attended Smiths Falls Collegiate Institute, which he left in 1937. Richard was employed at Dominion Stores in Smiths Falls and Kapuskasing, Ontario as a Manager in 1937. He left this job in 1939 for a better position. Richard was also employed at the Kapuskasing Paper Mill in Kapuskasing from 1939 until the time he enlisted. From 1941 to 1942, Richard also attended a Pilot Observer's Course.
He lived on Stewart Avenue in Kapuskasing, Ontario. His religion was Roman Catholic. Richard signed up on February 21st, 1942 in Hamilton, Ontario. He went into the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Aircraftman. While doing night time training overseas, Richard and his crew participated in a three-and-a-half hour crosscountry test. Of the eight aircrafts that participated, only seven of them returned.
In Richard's Certificate of Medical Examination upon enlisting, it is seen that he had no diseases listed on the form. Richard was 5 foot 7 inches and weighed 146 pounds. His eyesight and hearing were perfect. Richard's complexion was ruddy and his development was good. His hair was brown in colour with blue eyes.
Richard was a part of the Number 420 Squadron in World War 2. The squadron was formed in the late December of 1941 and was in action by late January of 1942. Their first recorded mission was on January 21st, 1942. The first operational mission the 420 Squadron had involved bombing Edmen, Germany. The squadron's last operational mission was on April 18th, 1945. Their objective was to bomb Heligoland, Germany. May aircrafts crashed while trying to succeed their objective.
Richard was killed in an aircraft crash; the following was discovered in his accident report, which occurred on May 4th, 1944: "Aircraft was equipped with Nitrogen Cylinders, which were not charged due to lack of charging hose. The correct type of valve venting was found installed and tested for functioning on arrival of this unit. No suspected technical failure. Experienced pilot and crew took off on a night training flight. Aircraft signed out as serviceable and weather conditions were good. No further word has been received of the aircraft or crew. Eight aircraft took part in a 3 ½ hour cross-country. One aircraft returned early due to a malfunction. Six aircrafts completed the cross-country and returned to the base. One aircraft was reported missing, crew is as follows: P.J. Lapointe, R.J.J. Monaghan, E.W. Michie, C.W. Beer, J.H. MacDougall, W. Stobbart, H.E. Simmons, and G. Elwood."
After Richard John Joseph Monaghan's death, his medals were entitled to his mother, Anne Elizabeth Monaghan. Anne was given Richard's 1939 to 45 Star (awarded after soldier has given after six months of duty), Air Crew Europe Star (awarded for two months of operational flying from the United Kingdom over Europe between September 3rd, 1939 and June 5th, 1944), Italy Star (awarded for one day operational service in Sicily or Italy between June 11th, 1943 and May 8th, 1945), Defence Medal (awarded between September 3rd, 1939, to May 8th, 1945 for six months of service in Great Britain), War Medal (awarded if a soldier worked full time for 28 days in the armed forces and merchant marines from 1939 to 1945), and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp (awarded to any soldier that volunteered in World War II for eighteen months).
As his body was never recovered, Richard was mentioned in the Runneymede Memorial in Surrey, United Kingdom.
Story and photos: http://www.insideottawavalley.com
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