Arthur George "Art" Lawrence

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Strong Bombing Attacks Made on Ruhr,
Rhineland By Canadians and R.A.F
Seven German Bombers Brought Down in Raids on Britain,
Two of Them by the Son of Lord Beaverbrook

London, July 24, 1942 — (CP) — A strong force of Royal Air Force bombers attacked objectives in western Germany's industrial Ruhr and Rhineland, the air ministry announced today. At least three Canadian squadrons participated in this latest smash on the war-bloated industrial plants of the Ruhr. Nazi-occupied aerodromes in the Low Countries also were bombed and railways and other targets in invaded territory were attacked in the night by fighters, the ministry said.

Seven Bombers Missing
It reported that seven British bombers were missing but two enemy aircraft were destroyed during the Continental raids. PO. Arthur George Lawrence, of Brandon, Man., and Sgt. J. F. Wilmer, of Vancouver, formed the crew of the R.C.A.F. Beaufighter that destroyed one of the German bombers.
Taking up where the night crews left off, a steady stream of British planes began speeding across the channel toward northern France at dawn today.
The German raids on Britain were the heaviest in weeks.
The Nazi raiders flew through intense anti-aircraft fire to scatter bombs along the east coast, over the eastern Midlands and some areas further west.
One town in East Anglia was machine-gunned after the attacking planes had dropped high explosives.
Following their usual pattern, the Germans dropped flares to light up the targets before loosing their bombs.
(The Germans said one of their targets was Bedford, industrial town 40 miles north of London.)
A Royal Air Force commentator said that in all about 40 German planes participated in last night's raids on Britain.

LONDON, July 24 - (CP) - Seven German bombers were destroyed during the night-— and five of them fell to the Beaufighter squadron led by Wing Cmdr. Max Aitken, son of Lord Beaverbrook, the air ministry announced today.
Aitken himself was credited with destroying two of the aircraft - a JU-88 and a Dornier 217 - giving him a total thus far of 12 night raiders.

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CANADIANS DOWN FOURTEEN NAZIS
Good Fighting Mark Is Chalked Up By Beaufighter Squadron

Ottawa, March 22, 1943 — (CP) — An R.C.A.F. squadron flying Beaufighter night fighters from a station in England has 14 planes destroyed and many others damaged to its credit so far, said an air force headquarters press release today.
The squadron's job is to intercept enemy planes coming to England and FO. Art G. Lawrence, of Brandon, Man., describes it as "a pretty simple and straightforward job."
The squadron is commanded by Wing Cmdr. J. R. Stephenson, 27, an R.A.F. man.
It has many Western Canadian pilots besides Lawrence. Others include PO. George R. Shipley, of Edmonton, and PO. Doug McNabb, of Winnipeg. Adjutant of the squadron is Flight-Lt. E. J. Piper, a former city councilor and insurance man in Galt, Ont.; intelligence officer is FO. Allan M. Roy, formerly a Pictou, N.S., bank manager.
A Beaufighter may carry four cannon and six machine guns, said the release describing it as "a fast night fighter of tremendous power."

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LAWRENCE, F/O Arthur George (J6409) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.406 Sq.
Award effective 17 April 1943 as per London Gazette dated 27 April 1943 and
AFRO 985/43 dated 28 May 1943.

Flying Officer Lawrence has been flying with this squadron since March 1942 and has destroyed three enemy aircraft in combat at night. These engagements took place under difficult circumstances when this officer proved himself to be a skilful pilot and gunner. He has invariably displayed great keenness for operational flying and has fulfilled his duties most commendably.

NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/8945 has the original recommendation dated 11 March 1943, submitted by Wing Commander I.R. Stephenson:

Flying Officer Lawrence has been flying operationally with this squadron since 12 March 1942 and has carried out 100 hours night flying. During this time he has destroyed three enemy aircraft in night combat: a Junkers 88, a Heinkel 111 and a Dornier 217.

He has constantly refused to be daunted by the worst conditions; the manner in which he held in sight, attacked and destroyed these aircraft under conditions of difficulty has shown him to be a very skilful pilot and a first class shot.

He has always shown great keenness to do his work well, and an enthusiasm which has set a fine example to the pilots of the squadron. I strongly recommend him for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Also on 11 March 1943 the Officer Commanding, RAF Station Middle Wallop, added his remarks:

The recommendation of the Squadron Commander is strongly supported. No.406 Squadron have had a very lean time lately, and the award of this decoration, while not only being thoroughly well deserved, will be both a tonic and fillip to the whole unit.

The Air Officer Commanding, No.10 Group, concurred on 14 March 1943, and on 23 March 1943 the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, minuted the form, "Recommended for award of Distinguished Flying Cross."

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Periods of Leave Begin For Repatriated Fliers

Ottawa, Oct. 25, 1943 - (CP) - Complete with one small dog and 12 decorations, one of the largest groups of airmen returned from overseas now is going through the process of checking out at the R.C.A.F. Repatriation Pool at nearby Rockcliffe Air Station, for leave and duty.
The group includes fliers with long records in operations against the enemy and many ground crew re-mustered for air crew duties and back in Canada for flying training.
At their recent arrival by train at Ottawa, an R.C.A.F. band played as the train pulled in. Members of the Canadian Legion, Mayor Stanley Lewis of Ottawa, George McIlraith, Liberal Member of Parliament for Ottawa West, and a large group of airmen turned out to greet the veterans. Women of the Red Cross, cooperating with the legion, distributed hot tea and coffee, cigarettes, sandwiches and cake.
Group Capt. Geoffrey O'Brian, Officer Commanding the Repatriation Pool through which all returned airmen pass, assured them of a minimum of delay in their passage to leave at home.
The dog was Tommy, property of Flt. Lt. A. G. Lawrence, D.F.C., of Brandon, a night fighter pilot. His feat in getting the grey, curly-haired dog out of England was considered "something" by his comrades on the home voyage.

Twelve Decorations
In all there were in the party six holders of the Distinguished Flying Cross, two of the Air Force Cross, three of the Distinguished Flying Medal and one of membership in the Order of the British Empire.
Two fighter pilots, who worked for six months or more at Malta during the heat of Mediterranean operations, were Flt. Lt. J. F. McElroy, D.F.C., of Kamloops, B.C., and FO. J. H. Ballantyne D.F.M., of Toronto.
Other holders of decorations included PO. G. H. A. Marcotte, D.F.C., of Montreal, with two tours of operations and 1,110 hours flying on night bombing operations to his credit; Flt. Lt. R. I. A. Smith. D.F.C., of Regina, who has shot down six enemy planes; PO. W. R. Shellington, D.F.M., of Brantford; PO. S. J. Kernaghan, D.F.M., of Carttwright, Man., a Coastal Command pilot with four enemy planes to his credit.
Flt. Lt. G. J. Gow, M.B.E., of Lethbridge, who was honored for special technical work in North Africa.

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LAWRENCE, F/L Arthur George, DFC (J6409) - Air Force Cross - No.8 OTU
Award effective 14 June 1945 as per Canada Gazette of that date and
AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945
Governor General's Records (RG.7 Group 26, Vol.59, file 190-I, dossier 7) has citation.

When recommended he had flown 969 hours, 165 as instructor, 79 in previous six months.

This officer has, over a long period as Officer Commanding night flying squadron, displayed outstanding personal initiative and ability. Both in administrative and flying work he has proved to be a highly efficient and competent chief instructor. He has been invaluable to his pupils because of the operational knowledge he is able to pass on to them and the exceptional drive and initiative he has displayed in organizing night training at this unit is most praiseworthy. He has made a valuable contribution to operational training.

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Victories Include :

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See photos
PL-58067 (studio portrait, 5 June 1953 - top photo)
PL-24132 (in flying gear).                                       

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