Quick Facts
GeminiBiography
Richard Michael Pirrie (6 June 1920 – 6 June 1944) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Family
The son of Richard Francis Pirrie (1879-1962), and Isobel Agatha Pirrie (1897-1982), née McGuire, Richard Michael Pirrie was born in Hawthorn on 6 June 1920.
Education
He attended St Patrick's College, East Melbourne.
Football
His father, also known as "Dick" Pirrie, and his brother, Kevin Pirrie also played for Hawthorn.
His nephew, Kevin's son Stephen Pirrie, played with Richmond, St Kilda and Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL), and with Port Melbourne in the VFA.
Military
He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II.
Temporary Sub-Lieutenant Richard Perrie was the first member of the Australian Navy to be killed in action during the landings at Normandy on D-Day (6 June 1944).
He was mentioned in dispatches (MiD):
- "For gallantry, skill and determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the initial landing of allied forces on the coast of Normandy: Sub-Lieutenant Richard Pirrie, R.A.N.V.R."