Headstone of 2nd Lieutenant Martin J Sheehan RAF, in the Anneux British War Cemetery, near Cambrai, France who was killed 1 October 1918. His grave no. is: Plot 1, Row H21, which is maintained and serviced by the Commwealth War Graves Commission. The cemetery lies on the N30 national route from Cambrai to Bepaume.

Daniel J Sheehan, Lieut RFC, after acting for a time as a flying instructor at Oxford, England, went on active service again in 1917 with the British No. 66 Squadron based near Arras, France. The photo shows him in a Sopwith Pup fighter biplane which his squadron was equipped with. It was a stable, easy to fly aircraft, but an underpowered battle-plane. The aircraft type, though an excellent trainer, was by spring 1917 already outclassed and being decimated by the mainstream German opponents (see Wikipedia Bloody April and Sopwith Pup) of the Jagdstaffel 11 with their excellent Albatros D.III fighter biplane. Although nimble and manoeuvrable, the Pup was nowhere near as fast or powerful as its German opponents, and could not hope to outpace or out climb them. As well, the Pup was equipped with one synchronized Vickers machine gun, while the German planes featured two or more synchronized Spandau machine guns. The 66 Squadron had to make do with its Pups until later in the year when they would be outfitted with the much more effective Sopwith Camels. Sheehan was killed on 10 May 1917, when on an early morning patrolling expedition, a superior body of the German Jagdstaffel 11 aircraft engaged the Sopwith Pups, and Sheehan and another officer were killed. His superior officer wrote: he was loved by all and was by nature absolutely devoid of fear. His biography as first printed and published by His Majesty's Stationary Office London, 1921 publication: Officers Died in the Great War 1914-19. He was reportedly shot down by the German ace Lothar von Richthofen (brother of the Red Baron) over Vitry-en-Artois east of Arras, his 22nd victory. (see Franks, Norman and Giblin, Hal: ''Under the Guns of the German Aces; Immelmann, Voss, Goring, Lothar Von Richthofen'', The Complete Record of their Victories and Victims p. 165, Grub Street, London (1997) ISBN 1-898697-72-8), also http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/richthofen1.php Victory no. 22 details of Lothar von Richthofen. According to his family he managed to land the damaged plane in an open field, near Noyelles-lès-Vermelles, before he died in the cockpit. Lieut Sheehan was buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cabaret Rouge Cemetery (grave plot N16) at Souchez (14km north of Arras, sw of Lille, France (see http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=583970 Casualty details—Sheehan D J.

Cork press notice that Lieutenant Daniel J Sheehan of the RFC had been reported missing by the War Office. The text reads: Capt. D. D. Sheehan M.P. has received information from the War Office, that his son, Lieut D. J. Sheehan has been reported missing. Lieut Sheehan was a general favourite with the youth of Cork, having been a pupil for several years of the Christian College, and a star player on the College football team. We trust reassuring news of Lieut. Sheehan will be received by his relatives.