Lawrence, Kenneth Aubyn Hassel

Date of birth:: 1917 (Halifax/British Columbia, Canada)
Service number:: 41031
Nationality:: Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Promotions:
?: Pilot Officer;
3rd September 1940: Flying Officer;
3rd September 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
?: Acting Squadron Leader.

Career:
4th July 1944 (entering 27th June 1942: Transferred to Reserves (and called up for air force service).

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Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Awarded on:: March 17th, 1941

According the entry in The London Gazette he held the rank of Pilot Officer, however according to an earlier Issue of The London Gazette his rank was already that of Flying Officer.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force)
Awarded on:: January 18th, 1944

Citation:
"This officer has completed an outstanding tour of operations in the Middle East and is now engaged in his second tour in this country. While over Mannheim one night in November 1943, he was unable to release his bombs and remained in the target area, undeterred by heavy anti-aircraft fire, until he succeeded in releasing the missiles manually. Invariably displaying initiative of a high order, Flight Lieutenant Lawrence is a thoroughly reliable captain who has always shown courage and determination in the face of the enemy."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:: No. 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force)
Awarded on:: September 15th, 1944

Recommendation:
"Squadron Leader Lawrence has now completed over 70 operational sorties, 21 with the Pathfinder Force, 16 of which have been as Marker. At all times this officer has displayed courage, skill and determination of a high order and has been an inspiration to his crew and also to the Flight which he has commanded. He has taken part in many attacks on the most heavily defended enemy targets. His offensive spirit has been well marked, and he has always shown a great desire to attack the enemy."

Second DFC received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Sources

- The London Gazette of 15th October 1940, Issue 34790
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 14th March 1941, Issue 35107, dated 17th March 1941
- The London Gazette of 2nd December 1941, Issue 35366
- Fourth Supllement to The London Gazette of 14th January 1944, Issue 36335, dated 18th January 1944
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 30th June 1944, Issue 36592, dated 4th July 1944
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 12th September 1944, Issue 36702, dated 15th September 1944
- Air Force Association of Canada