Galway soldier commemorated in new book
By Kernan Andrews
The life, adventures, heroics, and death of a County Galway man who fought with the SAS in World War II have been published in a book to be launched next week.
He Who Dared and Died - The Life and Death of an SAS Original, Sgt Chris O’Dowd MM by Gearod O’Dowd, will be launched in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop on Monday October 24 at 6pm.
O’Dowd was born in Shrule, County Galway, and joined the Irish Guards at 18. He was soon tasting action in Norway before volunteering for the newly formed Commandos. After intensive training he sailed for Egypt, serving with Churchill’s son Randolph, novelist Evelyn Waugh, and SAS founder David Stirling.
The SAS spearheaded the invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and were ordered to the Italian mainland. Tragically O’Dowd was killed in action along with 14 others in October 1943. Now his nephew Gearod has written this memorial to his courageous soldier uncle
