Photo: Brian Chandler
L. O'Brien
Air Gunner
Royal Air Force
25th August 1944, age 21.
Death does not divide
R.I.P.
Lawrence was the son of Frank and Hannah of Newcastle upon Tyne, and husband of Binnie also of Newcastle.
He served with 180 Squadron, based at R.A.F. Dunsford.
The diary for the squadron reported as follows:
"The aircraft was forced to ditch 12 miles south of Beachy Head, due to engine trouble on the way into the target. On ditching only the navigator was able to get out, the pilot floated out (still alive). When the aircraft sank two other bodies came to the surface (F/Sgt Curtis; Sgt O’Brien). F/Sgt Curtis was still alive, but very badly injured. Sgt O’Brien’s face was unrecognisable. The navigator (F/O Hodder) did all he could to assist the others, but both had died before a WALRUS aircraft (277 Squadron) picked them up three hours after ditching".
Acknowledgements: Ron Carson
Lawrence O'Brien is remembered at Monkwearmouth in M46.02c