LAING, Ainsworth
| Service Numbers: | 429583, Q151201 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 May 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 158 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Dalby, Queensland Australia, 6 May 1924 |
| Home Town: | Dalby, Western Downs, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Dalby State High School , Queensland Australia 1938-39 |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Germany, 13 September 1944, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany Plot 20. Row F. Grave 3. Local Roll of Honour- Esk Queensland |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Dalby 'The Fallen' Honour Board, Dalby War Memorial, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Maryborough No. 3 Wireless Air Gunners' School Memorial Wall |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 429583 | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 May 1942: | Involvement Private, Q151201 | |
| 26 May 1942: | Enlisted | |
| 26 May 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Q151201, Australian Graves Service | |
| 26 May 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q151201 | |
| 7 Oct 1942: | Discharged | |
| 7 Oct 1942: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Q151201, Australian Graves Service | |
| 9 Oct 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 429583 | |
| 9 Oct 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 429583, No. 3 Initial Training School Sandgate | |
| 6 Jul 1943: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 429583, Embarked Brisbane for U.K. | |
| 24 Dec 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant | |
| 27 Jun 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 429583, No. 51 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 28 Aug 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 429583, No. 158 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Graham Padget
Flight Sergeant Ainsworth Laing was the son of Ainsworth Gaydon Laing and Annie May Laing, of Somerset Dam, Queensland, Australia.
Flight Sergeant Laing survived the loss of No. 51 Squadron Halifax MZ581 (Flying Officer Henry Anthony Jowett (418427) (Pilot)) on 21 July 1944.
158 Squadron Halifax MZ337 with Ainsworth Laing on board as the Wireless Air Gunner took off from RAF Lissett at 1552 hours on 13 September 1944, detailed to bomb Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and broke up. Five of the crew members were killed and two became Prisoners of War. Flight Sergeant Ainsworth Laing was one of the 5 fatalities.
(Compiled & edited from various WW2 sites)
Click images to start slideshow.