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B/w photograph of Lawrence McNamara with biographic detail and Lancaster with Genoa operation citation and crew list. Letter to Mrs McNamara from George Read with description of Lawrence last operation.

1946-01-27

Two b/w photographs, handwritten letter with typewritten transcription

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MMcNamaraLGL80193-200310-07

LAWRENCE GERARD LYONS McNAMARA
FLYING OFFICER 80193
Volunteered for training as an R.A.F. Pilot in Rhodesia.
After further training was posted as a Flying Officer to 44 Squadron, Waddington, Lincolnshire.
Died with friends in action December 17th 1942.

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[obscured handwritten letter pages – see Transcription later]

[Lancaster photograph]
GENOA
13/14TH. NOV. 1942.

P/O. McNAMARA
SGT. READ
P/O. McLEARY
P/O. LARGE
SGT McLEOD
SGT. BECKETT
SGT JONES

44 SQUADRON

[scroll]

A.POLLEN P/O 1942
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[portrait photograph]

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27/1/1946

Dear Mrs McNamara

Please forgive me for not writing to you before this, but I knew how badly the loss of “Mac” had been to you, and I felt that if I wrote to you I should only fetch it all back again for you. But I can see now that it was wrong of me to take that attitude, as you would most certainly wish to know what happened on that particular night. But first Mrs McNamara will you accept my most deepest sympathy for your great loss, “Mac” was one of the finest fellows I have ever had the pleasure to meet, & I shall never forget him. This is what happened on Dec 17th 1942.

We left base on Dec 17th for a raid on Nienburg, Germany. We crossed the North Sea flying fairly low without meeting any trouble, but directly we crossed the Dutch Coast we met plenty of light flak and machine guns, we kept going but shortly after were hit in one of our engines, as another of our engines wasn’t too good, “Mac” decided to turn back.

We turned for home & reached the coast without further incident, but as we were crossing the Zuider Zee we received a direct hit which set us afire and out of control, some of the crew were killed instantly. Mac gave orders to abandon aircraft & we both made our way to the escape hatch. As I went out of the hatch “Mac” was just behind me, I never saw him leave the aircraft & if he did I don’t think his parachute would have opened in time as it was too near the ground. My parachute only just opened in time & even then I was badly knocked about.

I never saw any of the Crew again, but was later told by the Germans that five bodies had been recovered. I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you about that tragic night in which you lost so fine a Husband & I lost six of the finest friends a man could ever hope to have.

If there is anything else you wish to know, or any way I can be of help to you, just let me know & I will be only too pleased to be of any assistance to you. I will close now hoping you & the children are keeping in the best of health.

Yours very sincerely

GEORGE READ