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Skey, Lawrence Wilton

Date of birth:
October 29th, 1911 (London/Ontario. Canada)
Date of death:
May 8th, 1977
Service number:
39423
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Lawrence Skey was educated at Ridley College, St. Catharines (Ontario) and the University of Toronto. After graduating he began a career withan accountants firm. In 1936 he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) and during WW2 from 1939 to 1944 remained with the RAF. From September 1939 to May 7th 1940 Skey was attached to No. 228 Squadron RAF Coastal Command.
He participated in many patrols aiding crews of torpedoed ships and looking for German warships trying to break out into the Atlantic Ocean. After receiving his DFC, Skey was very active in the Norwegian Campaign which among other things included many reconnaissance flights over Norwegian harbours and fjords keeping an eye on German battleships "in hiding" there. In addition Skey saw service in Singapore, India, Malaya, Suez Malta and Gibraltar.
In July 1944 he transferred to the RCAF and later Wing Commander Skey commanded a Canadian squadron attached to Coastal Command and based variously in the Shetland Islands, the Hebrides and Northern Ireland. In 1946 Skey retired from the RCAF and served as a Member of Parliament, representing the riding of "Toronto Trinity" until 1949.
He began a career in the investment business and rose to become President and Director, York Associates Limited, Toronto.

Promotions:
28 January,1937: Acting Pilot Officer on Probation
16 November, 1937: Pilot Officer
2 March, 1939: Flight Lieutenant
16 May, 1939: Flying Officer (Acting Flight Lieutenant)
3 June, 1940: Acting rank of Flight Lieutenant relinquished
3 September. 1940: Flight Lieutenant
1 december 1941: Temporary Squadron Leader
1 October, 1942: Squadron Leader (war sub)

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 228 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
February 20th, 1940
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Wing Commander
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1941
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Wing Commander
Awarded on:
June 8th, 1944
Mentioned in Dispatches

Sources

Photo