The Airmen's Stories - F/O L E Cryderman

Lawrence Elwood Cryderman, a school teacher of Islington, Ontario, Canada was born on 26th June 1914, the son of Beecher Cryderman (1877-1956) and Ida Cryderman (nee Kennedy 1876-1966).

He taught at Rawlinson Public School, where his father was Principal.

He joined the RAF on a short service commission in December 1938. His initial training was at 9 E&RFTS Ansty on 28th December 1938.

He went to 10 FTS Ternhill for No. 11 Course, which ran from 20th March to 14th October 1939.

Cryderman joined 242 Squadron at Coltishall from No. 2 School of Army Co-operation Andover on 31st August 1940.

However when they discovered that he had never flown a Hurricane he was posted to 5 OTU Aston Down on 5th September for a conversion course. He rejoined 242 three weeks later.

Cryderman was scrambled in Hurricane I V6823 on 8th February 1941 with two other pilots to search for an enemy aircraft east of Clacton. They found it and an attack was made, damaging one engine. Soon after Cryderman radioed saying he was returning to base but then a further call said that he was landing on the sea.

Despite searches he was not found. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 30.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.

Additional research courtesy of Tina Harney.