Date of birth:

October 29th, 1911 (London/Ontario. Canada)

Date of death:

May 8th, 1977

Service number:

39423

Nationality:

Canadian

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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• - The London Gazette Publication date:9 February 1937 Issue:34369Page:895
  - The London Gazette Publication date:23 November 1937 Issue:34457Page:7352
  - The London Gazette Publication date:14 April 1939 Issue:34616Page:2486
  - The London Gazette Publication date:15 August 1939 Issue:34654Page:5609
  - The London Gazette Publication date:20 February 1940 Supplement:34795Page:1055
  - The London Gazette Publication date:25 June 1940 Issue:34881Page:3865
  - The London Gazette Publication date:27 September 1940 Issue:34954Page:5716
  - The London Gazette Publication date:31 December 1940 Supplement:35029Page:36
  - The London Gazette Publication date:16 December 1941 Supplement:35383Page:7115
  - The London Gazette Publication date:8 December 1942 Supplement:35819Page:5393
  - The London Gazette Publication date:2 June 1944 Supplement:36544Page:2615
  - Royal Canadian Air Force Association - "Per Ardua Ad Astra"
  - CanadaVeteransHallofValour