Service Details
Name:
LAURENS
Given Name:
JOHN
Initials:
J
Service No:
171908
Trade:
Pilot
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Other Casualties of this Rank
Regiment:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Other Casualties from this Regiment
Unit:
101 Sqdn.
Other Casualties from this Unit
Date of Death:
1944-02-20
Other Casualties on this Date
Date of Birth:
1918-01-05
Age:
26
Cause of Death:
Killed in action, Lancaster Bomber DV267K, over Groningen on his 20th mission
Decorations:
D F M, Mentioned in Despatches?
Citations:
DFM LG Sup 25 January 1944 pg. 482/483 - "Flight Sergeant Laurens has participated in numerous sorties, seven of which have been against Berlin. One night in December, 1943, when detailed to attack targets in this city, Flight Sergeant Laurens displayed great skill and determination to complete his mission successfully in the face of difficulties. Some nights previously he attacked targets in the same area. During the bombing run his aircraft was hit by aircraft fire and was thrown out of control. Flight Sergeant skilfully regained control however, and executed a determined attack. This airman invariably displayed skill, courage and determination." MID Dunkirk?
Additional
Information:
Son of Jan Gerhardus Laurens and Maria Elizabeth Laurens; husband of Margaret Johnson Laurens, of Ferryhill, Co. Durham. Of South Africa. Born Wolseley, Cape Province. Educated Observatory Boys' High School, Cape Town; Cadet Draft 1933/34. After leaving General Botha, John Laurens enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, from which he was later transferred to the RAF.
Commemoration
Country:
Netherlands
Other Casualties commemorated in Netherlands
Cemetery:
LEEK (TOLBERT) PROTESTANT CEMETERY
Other Casualties commemorated in this Cemetery
Grave Reference:
Row K. Grave 2.

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