243005 Sqn Ldr. Kenneth Aubyn Hassel Lawrence DFC & Bar, MID.Royal Air Force 7 Squadron Kenneth Lawrence completed his basic flying and navigation training in the UK from 25th May to 20th Aug 1938 aged 21 and was promoted to Pilot Officer. He was posted to No. 8 Sqn. in Abu Sueir, Aden he participated in the East African Campaign between July 1939 and July 1941. During this period he was shot down sustaining an injury and was held as a POW in French Somaliland. He managed to escape and returned to flying duties with his Squadon. On 17th of March 1941, Flying Officer Lawrence was mentioned in dispatches and in September returned to the UK and took Flying instructors training. From 15th Nov 1941 until 9th Mar 1943 he was a flying instructor for Commonwealth pilots in PEI, New Brunswick and Ontario and Weyburn Sask, eventually returning to the UK for further training. Between 25th Sept 1943 and 21st Aug 1944 he was an operational pilot with various bomber Squadrons. 25th Sept to 15th Oct 1943 with No. 75 Sqn. 15th Oct 1943 to 27th Jan 1944 with No. 15 Sqn. 27th Jan to 21st Aug 1944 with No. 7 Sqn. with the Pathfinder Force< On 18th of January 1944 during his time with No. 15 Squadron, he was awarded his first DFC. On 15th of September 1944 whilst serving with No. 7 Squadron, by then an Acting Squadron Leader, he was awarded his second DFC in the form of a bar. At age 29 Ken was working for BOAC a position he held until 3rd June 1946. He subsequently began flying commercially in the Middle East until about 1952. Eventually, he returned to Canada where during May 1994 he died in Ottawa.
|