Hugh O'Donnell 1921-2007
from Issue No. 12/2007 for Sunday 25th March
Hugh was born on 21 July 1921 in Moville, Co Donegal, the second of five children. He was educated at St Columb’s College, Londonderry, where he obtained his Higher School Certificate. In 1938 he passed the Open Clerical Examination for entry into the UK Civil Service, and in 1939 he came to Redhill to take up his first position.
When Hugh was 18, he volunteered for service in the Royal Navy and underwent training at Gosport and Lee-on-Solent. In 1941 he entered the Fleet Air Arm, and in 1942, having been promoted to Sub-Lieutenant RNVR, he was posted to 813 Squadron, which flew Swordfish aircraft from HMS Eagle. After the sinking of the Eagle in the Western Mediterranean, the squadron operated from HMS Argus in Gibraltar, and then from various air stations in North Africa. In 1943 Hugh was seconded as a navigator to 149 Squadron RAF, which flew Stirling bombers from Lakenheath in Suffolk.
The Fleet Air Arm were upgrading their aircraft when Hugh was posted to 738 Squadron at the US Navy Air Station at Lewiston, where familiarization with Avenger aircraft was being carried out. In April 1944 Hugh was posted to 857 [Avenger] Squadron at Squantum airfield in the USA. After a lengthy journey on board HMS Rajah, the squadron came to RNAS Katakurunda in Ceylon for jungle training. Hugh reached his final rank of Lieutenant RNVR, and saw action in the Far East on HMS Ukussa. In November 1944, 857 Squadron was relocated to HMS Indomitable.
While attached to HMS Indomitable during a stay in Sydney, he met Mary Joan Smith, an evacuee to Australia following the fall of Singapore. Hugh returned to the UK in July 1945, and Mary joined him shortly after his demobilization. They were married in Crosby, Liverpool on 22nd April 1946. On his return from active service, Hugh took up a further post in the Civil Service, and he remained in the Service, holding various senior positions in Northern Ireland and in London until his retirement in 1981.
Hugh and Mary had two daughters, Kathleen and Deirdre and, subsequently, seven grandchildren. They spent their later years in Carshalton Beeches, but tragically Mary died from the effects of lymphatic cancer in 1990. Hugh has sustained a wide range of interests outside of his work activities. He was a talented artist and singer, and he had more than a passing interest in DIY. He and Mary were enthusiastic members of the International Wine and Food Society, of whose London Section Hugh was Treasurer for many years. Hugh lectured locally on wine appreciation and has coached many pupils to Wine & Spirit Education Trust awards.
A lifetime involvement with the Catholic Church has absorbed much of Hugh’s time over the years. He was Treasurer of St Margaret’s parish until ill health forced his retirement. He was heavily involved in the reconstruction of St Margaret’s in the 1980s, and is one of a very small band of people who have been recipients of both of the Papal Decorations which are conferred by the Pope as Head of the Catholic Church: the Bene Merenti Medal for exceptional service to the Church, and the Cross Pro Ecclesia for distinguished service to the Church and Society. Hugh served with the Deanery Pastoral Council, the Liturgy Commission, the Schools’ Commission and the Justice and Peace Office in the Southwark Diocese, and maintained a connection with the Sutton Circle of the Catenian Association, of which he is a past President.
Eternal Rest Grant To Him, O Lord, And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. May He Rest In Peace. Amen.