Roy Fitzgerald was the son of the late William Crowthers Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Fitzgerald, of Wellington, New Zealand; husband of Jean Fitzgerald, of 152, Beecham Rd., Reading.

An escaped Prisoner of War and escaped later. Received the M.I.D. for valuable service rendered while a prisoner.

Fitzgerald was a member of the British Army (rank of Second Lieutenant), Gloucestershire Regiment, and prior to joining the RAF won the MC, awarded for bravery on 3rd September 1916 on the Somme. "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He was the only officer left unwounded of the four assaulting companies, and at once took command, consolidating the defences of the captured position, and led a party to establish posts in an outlying wood. He has previously done fine work." (Lond. Gaz. 20 Oct. 1916)

FITZGERALD. Two sons of the late Mr. W C FITZGERALD of Wellington, hold the King's commission and are engaged on active service in France and a daughter has enrolled as a nurse. Lieutenant Roy James FITZGERALD, who was a marine engineer prior to the war, is serving in the Gloucester Regt and has been awarded the Military Cross for his conduct in the advance on the Somme. Captain Maurice FITZGERALD is serving in the Royal Engineers, and Nurse Eileen FITZGERALD is under orders to be ready to leave NZ for the front this month. [Auckland Weekly News 21.12.1916]

Brother of Eileen FITZGERALD 22/394 AWMM