Homer Lawson's Biography

Homer Lawson's Biography

The story of Homer Lawson from birth in August 1921 to death in September 1975. He trained as a Navigator in Wales and in Scotland before converting to Halifaxes in Yorkshire. He completed 38 operations then returned to Scotland for more training. Then he was transferred back to Yorkshire flying Halifaxes and C-47s after the war.

Two handwritten sheets

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MLawsonHA19210824-161128-010002

[underlined] HAROLD “HOMER” LAWSON [/underlined]

24.8.21 – Born Salford

22.9.41 – Signed to Join RAF. (see Letter)

19.1.43 – 13.4.43 – Training as Navigator @ Llanwrog [sic] (now Caernarfon Airport)

- Flying Anson’s 93 HRS

19.4.43 – Qualified as Navigator

8.6.43 – 19.8.43 - Based RAF Forres Scotland & Kinloss 19 OUT Met up with Crew & Pilot [underlined] Johnny Howitt [/underlines] Flying Anson & Whitley’s 105 HRS

25.09.43 – 20.10.43 – 1662 Conversion Unit @ Rufforth Yorks Flying Halifax MKII’s 33 HRS

5.11.43 – 20.7.44 – 10 Scon Melbourne 38 Opp’s Ist Completed Tour Flying Halifax MK II & MK III’s 170 HRS “OLRAM”

[underlined] Key Events [/underlined]

*29/12/43 – Ist Opp’s Berlin – Shot Down JU88

* /4/44 – Dusseldorf & Essen – Caught in Search Lights

*6/5/44 – Mantes/Gassicourt – Attack by Fighter

*** D DAY 6.6.44 – 2.55 am Mout Hevry gun Battery 22.30 – ST10 @2000ft.

*15.6.44 – Rennes Combat with JU88 Port Engine of Fire.

*24.6.44 – Noyelle En Chausee – Engine Problems featured

*25.6.44 – Baineville – [underlined] 3 Combats [/underlined] 1 ME210 Destroyed

*20.7.44 – Blothrop - Ammo Tracks on Fire

15.8.44 – 14.9.44 Forres & Scotland Flying Ansons 10 HRS

[Page Break]

6.11.45 – 18.2.45 – RAF Kinloss Scotland 19OTU Flying Wellington’s 14 HRS

*November 1944 – Awarded ‘DFC’

8.4.45- 2.5.45 – RAF Ruffoth 1663 Conversion Unit Flying Halifax III 40 HRS. Bombing and Fighting Affiliation.

[underlined] Moved to 77 Sqn [/underlined]

6.5.45 – 8.8.45 – Full Sutton (Yorks ) Met new crew – Pilot Pickin. Fling Halifax VI & Dekota’s [sic]56HRS

*Circuits & Bombs/Bomb Jettisoning/Formation Flying

5.9.45 – 12.9.45 – Broadwell Flying Dakota’s 7.5 HRS

*Supply dropping/Glider Towing/Formation Flying

22.9.45 - ? Transits to India & Based in Mauripur Kashmir Flying Dakotas

*Came home and returned to old employer

*Married ‘Maureen Chilun’ 31.12.55 Great Ballroom Dancer’s Dancing @ Tower Ballroom, Blackpool

*Died to early 12.9.75