ships". Willhelm Wolf aboard the Scharnhorst wrote, "What an heroic stage for them to meet their end! Behind them their homeland, which they had just left with their hearts steeled to their purpose, still in view". The award of the VC was gazetted on 3 March 1942, the citation read: In fact, no torpedo hits were achieved. Esmonde was remembered in Winston Churchill's famous broadcast speech on 13 May 1945, "Five years of War", as having defended Ireland's honour: Seven weeks later Lieutenant Commander Esmonde's body, still in his lifejacket, was washed ashore in the Thames Estuary near the River Medway. Esmonde was buried in the Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent on 30 April 1942. His great-uncle Thomas Esmonde, had been awarded the Victoria Cross in the Crimean War. References Further reading External links Lieutenant Commander E. Esmonde in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives (includes image of original recommendation for the VC) Location of grave and VC medal (Kent) Esmonde Family Tree 1909 births 1942 deaths Burials in Kent Military personnel from Yorkshire People from Thurgoland People from County Tipperary People educated at Clongowes Wood College People educated at Wimbledon College Royal Air Force officers Royal Navy officers of World War II British World War II pilots British World War II bomber pilots Irish World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross Companions of the Distinguished Service Order British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross Royal Navy personnel killed in World War II Aviators killed by being shot down People who died at sea Fleet Air Arm aviators Eugene Royal Navy recipients of the Victoria Cross Fleet Air Arm personnel of World War II