Hugh O Flaherty Memorial

The producers of the famous BBC programme This Is Your Life decided in late 1962 to make a programme in tribute to The Monsignor.

However, by this stage his health was failing and it was clear that it was inadvisable for him to travel to London. As a result they altered their focus and decided to feature Sam Derry, with a white haired Monsignor O'Flaherty appearing on film with a recorded greeting from Ireland.

In his greeting he said of Derry:

"Those were dark days and I shall always remember the difficulties we had in trying to keep one step ahead of the Gestapo. Sam, when you came to Rome you arrived at the right moment. Events were getting difficult for me. I needed a British Officer with some authority and, when I mentioned your name and when he saw you the British Minister said to me you were the right man"

As the programme neared the end the famed presenter, Eamonn Andrews  announced that there was one last guest and with that The Monsignor slowly walked onto stage, grinned and threw his arms around Sam Derry. Both wept for joy and that was the last time the two partners saw each other.

This was the first time that many of the audience who were assisted by the Organisation during the war, were able to express their gratitude in person to both The Monsignor and Sam Derry.