David Tidmarsh, who was a decorated flying ace during World War I, was a native of Limerick, Ireland. He was awarded the Military Cross by King George V in 1916. Tidmarsh also served as a temporary squadron leader in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War II.
David Mary Tidmarsh was born in Lota, Limerick in 1892. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Irish Regiment in April 1915 at the age of 23. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was appointed a Flying Officer in January 1916.
Tidmarsh was credited with seven aerial victories while flying with the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Airforce from 1917) during World War I. He was awarded the Military Cross for ‘conspicuous gallantry’ on the 31st of May 1916. He was shot down in aerial combat on the 11th April 1917 and spent the remainder of the war in a prisoner of war camp.
After the War Tidmarsh was repatriated and discharged from the RAF. He re-joined the RAF at the beginning of World War II and was promoted to squadron leader in September 1942. He resigned his commission due to ill-health in January 1944 and returned to Ireland. He died aged 52 at a nursing home in Dublin on the 27th of November 1944.
David Tidmarsh was born in Limerick in the year 1892 On This Day.
Second Lieutenant David M. Tidmarsh
By South Dublin County Council
Photo by National Library of Ireland on The Commons