In Memory Of

LAURENS, JOHN

Service Details
Age:
 26
Date of Birth:
 1918-01-05
Service No:
 171908
Rank:
 Pilot Officer
Unit:
 101 Sqdn.
Regiment:
 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of Death:
 1944-02-20
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, Lancaster Bomber DV267K, over Groningen on his 20th mission
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Row K. Grave 2.
Cemetery:
 LEEK (TOLBERT) PROTESTANT CEMETERY
Country:
 Netherlands
Additional Information
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?
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.