BOOK TO CHART LIFE OF WAR VETERAN
Book to chart life of war veteran
BY JOHN McCUSKER
A BOOK charting the life of an Omagh-born World War II veteran will be launched at a ceremony later this month.
'A Long Road to Freedom - The Life of Patrick McCrystal' tells the remarkable story of the WWII veteran who witnessed some of the fiercest front line fighting before ending up in a prisoner of war camp
On his return to Omagh after the war Patrick remained silent about his exploits for over half a century before eventually telling his remarkable life-time story.
In 1940. Patrick found himself in Malta trapped in the most bombed place in world history. After surviving the Siege of Malta he ended up in the frontline as the Germans slaughtered all before them on Leros. As a PoW, Patrick helped bury the tens of thousands of German civilians killed in Dresden by Allied attacks.
Returning home to peaceful normality, war found him again. Raising a family through the years of the Troubles was difficult and Patrick suffered the loss of his daughter Geraldine in the Omagh bomb attack of 1998.
The book is written by his niece, Mary McCartan. who travelled with Patrick to Malta late last year during the filming of a documentary on the WWII veteran. During the visit Patrick suffered a severe heart attack and, after a period of recovery on the island, was flown home to Ireland.
Sadly, he passed away earlier this year, just months before the publication of the book which was to chart his exploits.
'A Long Road to Freedom - The Life of Patrick McCrystal' by Mary McCartan will be launched at a ceremony in The Living History Park, Gortin Glens later this month. It will be available in local shops from August 27.
BY JOHN McCUSKER
A BOOK charting the life of an Omagh-born World War II veteran will be launched at a ceremony later this month.
'A Long Road to Freedom - The Life of Patrick McCrystal' tells the remarkable story of the WWII veteran who witnessed some of the fiercest front line fighting before ending up in a prisoner of war camp
On his return to Omagh after the war Patrick remained silent about his exploits for over half a century before eventually telling his remarkable life-time story.
In 1940. Patrick found himself in Malta trapped in the most bombed place in world history. After surviving the Siege of Malta he ended up in the frontline as the Germans slaughtered all before them on Leros. As a PoW, Patrick helped bury the tens of thousands of German civilians killed in Dresden by Allied attacks.
Returning home to peaceful normality, war found him again. Raising a family through the years of the Troubles was difficult and Patrick suffered the loss of his daughter Geraldine in the Omagh bomb attack of 1998.
The book is written by his niece, Mary McCartan. who travelled with Patrick to Malta late last year during the filming of a documentary on the WWII veteran. During the visit Patrick suffered a severe heart attack and, after a period of recovery on the island, was flown home to Ireland.
Sadly, he passed away earlier this year, just months before the publication of the book which was to chart his exploits.
'A Long Road to Freedom - The Life of Patrick McCrystal' by Mary McCartan will be launched at a ceremony in The Living History Park, Gortin Glens later this month. It will be available in local shops from August 27.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/2031
Published Date: 11-Aug-11
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