Acting Sub Lieutenant (A) Michael John McCluskey, RNVR, 828 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm HMS St.Angelo....

...was born 1921 the son of John and Mary Elizabeth Catherine McCluskey. At some date, Michael entered the Navy and was appointed a Temporary Sub-Lieutenant on the 12th of May 1941.

Having trained as an Observer, he was posted to 828 Squadron, in Malta, flying the Fairey Albacore torpedo bomber.

On the 22nd of May 1942 he left Hal Far airfield in Fairey Albacore T9142 with pilot, Sub Lieutenant Denys James Noel Barnes RNVR on a night anti shipping patrol from which both men went missing. Neither has no known grave and are remembered on the Lee On Solent Memorial.

Michael McCluskey is also remembered in Eastbourne (Ocklynge) Cemetery on his parental grave John McCluskey, who died on the 8th of June 1960, aged 72 and Mary Elizabeth Catherine McCluskey who died on the 27th of January 1970.

Notes:

1) The Royal Naval Base, HMS St Angelo - after the 13th century fortress located in Valetta harbour and the HQ for the Fleet Air Arm in Malta. Fleet Air Arm Memorial - Lee On Solent.

2) During the war, the Fleet Air Arm operated in every theatre against ships, submarines and shore targets, flew fighter escort and reconnaissance sorties from carriers, capital ships and shore stations. Its contribution to the war effort was huge and invaluable.

The airfield of Lee On Solent, was the principal base for the Fleet Air Arm and was chosen as the site for the memorial to 1,962 men of the Second World War who died and who have no known grave.