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The Airmen's Stories - P/O A C MacLaren

 

Archibald Colin Maclaren was born on 24th December 1913 and educated at Eton. He joined 604 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force in 1939.

He was called to full-time service on 24th August and was posted to 8 FTS Montrose for No. 13 Course which ran from 9th October. However at some point he was transferred to 15 FTS Lossiemouth.

 

Above: his portrait was made by Sir William Rothenstein.

 

With his training completed, Maclaren rejoined 604 Squadron at Northolt from 15 FTS on 4th May 1940. He was detached to RAF Uxbridge on 22nd May for a short course on R/T procedure.

On 6th September 1940 he was captain of Blenheim L4908 which made a night forced landing when it ran out of fuel. It overturned on landing at Foxcotte near Andover, Hampshire. MacLaren, AC2 JG Watson and Sgt. ES Lawler escaped unhurt.

He was with the squadron until 24th September when he was posted to RAF Chipping Norton to join the staff of 15 FTS there.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented apart from an incident on 28th October 1941. MacLaren was serving with the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit and carrying out a local fligt in Hurricane P5183 when he had to carry out a forced landing on a sand bank in the River Mersey, he was unhurt.

MacLaren was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He died on 21st March 1971.

 


 

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