South African War Graves Project -

Son of George Henry and Gladys Ethel Meldrum Hull, of Retreat, Cape Province, South Africa. Laurence came from South Africa about 1935 and joined Bomber Command. Was in Blenheims for the first half of the war, being shot down in Holland in April 1942. An engine was on his chest. He had a month in hospital before being shipped to POW camp, largely Stalag Luft 3. POW number 775 - L3 - Sagan & Belaria. He was in the Great Escape, drawing a late lottery number and being in a position to get back to barracks when the alarm went off. He was involved in the cattle truck cum hunger march in the winter of 1945 from Sagan to Hamburg where he was liberated. He returned for his first holiday in South Africa in ten years in September 1945. From Jason Biggs 2015 "Group Captain D. R. Biggs RAF DFC was his friend. They started their RAF career together. When he died Biggs arranged for him to be buried at Oving where Biggs and his family lived. Every Sunday they put flowers on his grave before the church service. He was known as Bok to their family."

Age:	34
Date of Birth:	1912-01-18
Service No:	37355
Rank:	Wing Commander
Regiment:	Royal Air Force
Date of Death:	1946-05-17
Cause of Death:	Died in Aircraft Accident, Mosquito T.III TW108, crashed at Goadby Marwood in Leicestershire. The starboard engine failed at 1000 feet and the pilot attempted a forced landing. On the approach the aircraft struck trees breaking the tailplane and the aircraft then hit high ground and disintegrated

Grave Reference:	Row G. Grave 14.
Cemetery:	OVING (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD

Localitly:	Buckinghamshire
Country:	United Kingdom

Decorations:	D F C
Citations:	LG 24 December 1940 pg. 7214 - "Squadron Leader Hull and Sergeants Baker and Hibbs have completed 26 operational sorties as pilot, observer and air gunner respectively. As a crew, they have at all times shown extreme devotion to duty, pressing home their attacks at a low level. They have developed a successful method of striking night targets by gliding approaches. This crew has set an excellent example to its squadron and has done much to maintain morale at a high level"
Son of George Henry and Gladys Ethel Meldrum Hull, of Retreat, Cape Province, South Africa. Laurence came from South Africa about 1935 and joined Bomber Command. Was in Blenheims for the first half of the war, being shot down in Holland in April 1942. An engine was on his chest. He had a month in hospital before being shipped to POW camp, largely Stalag Luft 3. POW number 775 - L3 - Sagan & Belaria. He was in the Great Escape, drawing a late lottery number and being in a position to get back to barracks when the alarm went off. He was involved in the cattle truck cum hunger march in the winter of 1945 from Sagan to Hamburg where he was liberated. He returned for his first holiday in South Africa in ten years in September 1945. From Jason Biggs 2015 "Group Captain D. R. Biggs RAF DFC was his friend. They started their RAF career together. When he died Biggs arranged for him to be buried at Oving where Biggs and his family lived. Every Sunday they put flowers on his grave before the church service. He was known as Bok to their family."