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The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. G Laurence

 

George Laurence was born on 16th July 1916 at Rossi Island, south of Montrose, Scotland, the son of William Laurence and Annie Mary Laurence (nee McIntosh).

His father was serving in the 8th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) when he was killed on 23rd March 1918. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

G Laurence joined the RAF as an Aircrafthand in 1934. He was later accepted for pilot training and by June 1940 was flying Defiants with 141 Squadron at Turnhouse near Edinburgh.

Flying from Biggin Hill and with Sgt. WT Chard as his gunner, he destroyed a Ju88 at night on 17th September 1940, the aircraft falling at St Andrews Close, Maidstone.

 

 

On the night of 5th May 1941, flying with Sgt. AJB Hithersay, he shot down a He111 south of Greenock.

Laurence was awarded the DFM on 30th May.

In December he was commissioned and continued to serve with 141 till December 1942.

On 7th January 1944, by then a Flight Lieutenant, he was killed serving with 219 Squadron at La Sebala, NW of Tunis, Tunisia.

Beaufighter ND160 took off for a test flight but the port wingtip struck a vehicle on the takeoff run and the aircraft somersaulted and crashed. WO WT Chard was seriously injured.

Chard, also a Battle veteran, died in the UK in 1947 perhaps as a result of these injuries.

Laurence is buried in Massicault War Cemetery, Tunisia.

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Above images courtesy of the collection of P/O AJ Glegg, 600 Squadron.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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