Having returned from Ireland , I found some aviation history at Ballykealey Hotel,Ballon,County Carlow.
In 1908, John Rupert Roderick Lecky inherited the estate at 23, and with an English engineer constructed a Wright type biplane. It is believed to have crashed on Ballon hill on it’s maiden flight, circa 1910/11. John Lecky was killed in 1915 as a Lt in the 7th Battalion. It is said that parts of the aircraft and engine still remain in the local area.
One of the daughters was Molly Lecky born 1907. She flew in the Air Transport Auxiliary and was killed 14.6.42.
Any snippet’s of further information on this lesser known family would be most appreciated. I have tried the ATA web sites to no avail.
By: bazv - 19th May 2008 at 22:30
Just a thought T21,did ATFERO/RAF Ferry Command have any female aircrew ??
cheers baz
By: T-21 - 19th May 2008 at 21:26
I’ll get my sister in Ireland to dig further and to check local records.
By: bazv - 19th May 2008 at 21:04
BAZV, Many thanks for the list it makes interesting reading. I wonder if Molly Lecky was in the WASPS ?
Hi Barge
Yes I was thinking the same,but no time to check tonight.
Unless of course she used a different name ??
cheers baz
By: T-21 - 19th May 2008 at 21:01
BAZV, Many thanks for the list it makes interesting reading. I wonder if Molly Lecky was in the WASPS ?
By: bazv - 19th May 2008 at 20:45
This link has a list of ATA casualties…
http://www.raf-lichfield.co.uk/ATA%20Casualties.htm
could not see anything about molly
cheers baz
By: bazv - 19th May 2008 at 20:30
A bit here about the family…
http://www.ballykealeymanorhotel.com/history.htm
cheers baz
By: Atcham Tower - 19th May 2008 at 18:57
Have been through the list of ATA flyers in Brief Glory, which, having been written with the aid of official records in 1945/46 is usually accurate. Only a handful of Irish nationals served with ATA, only one being a woman. She was Third Officer (Miss) Annette Elizabeth Mahon and she survived the war. The plot thickens, but I know there are much more knowledgeable ATA researchers out there!
By: T-21 - 19th May 2008 at 14:41
Thanks for the replies,I’am sure more will turn up.
By: Atcham Tower - 19th May 2008 at 11:22
Aeromilitaria doesn’t list any ATA losses on 14.6.42, not that that it is conclusive.
By: CIRCUS 6 - 19th May 2008 at 10:10
Flight Lieutenant Mike Lecky IS a Lancaster pilot.
By: Resmoroh - 19th May 2008 at 09:56
Sqn Ldr Tom Lecky-Thompson established (I think?) a London-New York record in a Harrier in the 1969 Transatlantic Air Race
HTH
Resmoroh
By: Atcham Tower - 19th May 2008 at 09:37
A Lecky is not listed in Brief Glory. Perhaps she joined ATA under a later married name?
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May 19, 2008 at 8:54 am