LAWRENCE, Frank
| Service Number: | 414144 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 August 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 460 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Maryborough, Queensland, Australia , 22 March 1919 |
| Home Town: | Maryborough, Fraser Coast, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Maryborough Central School and Grammar School, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Hardware Shop Assistant |
| Died: | Maryborough, Queensland, Australia , August 2005, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Maryborough Squadron Leader Frank Lawrence Mural, Maryborough St. Paul's Anglican Church Book of Remembrance |
World War 2 Service
| 16 Aug 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 414144, No. 3 Initial Training School Sandgate | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 414144 | |
| 13 Aug 1943: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Medal, Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 21 Oct 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, No. 460 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 21 Apr 1944: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, No. 467 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 21 Oct 1945: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, No. 460 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 4 Dec 1945: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 21 Mar 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 414144 | |
| 21 Mar 1946: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, No. 460 Squadron (RAAF), Officer Commanding - ‘Operation Manna’ | |
| 21 Mar 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 414144, No. 460 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 414144, No. 460 Squadron (RAAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Graham Padget
414144 Squadron Leader Frank Lawrence DFC DFM
Born in Maryborough (Qld) on 22th March, 1919, he was taken out of school at age 14 to supplement the family income by working in a hardware store. He enlisted in the army for compulsory training in the 47th Infantry Battalion. Applied to join the R.A.A.F. and was called up in mid-1941. Frank received his wings after training in Tiger Moth and Anson aircraft at Bundaberg.
After arrival in England, Frank had a few months of training in Airspeed Oxfords, Wellingtons and Lancasters. He was posted to 460 R.A.A.F. Squadron on 15th March, 1943, with his first tour including 17 trips in a row to the Ruhr. The crew received immediate awards of DFM towards the end of the tour.
Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield, as a Flight Sergeant Instructor until November, 1944, when he was posted to 467 Sqn. After 6 operations he was posted back to 460 Sqn. as Sqn. Ldr. Flight Commander 'C' Flight. At the end of the war he was involved in Operation Manna (described by Frank as his proudest moment) which provided food drops to the starving people of Holland. He was awarded the DFC for his exploits in the air.
Frank returned to Australia, marrying his W.A.A.F. fiancé and taking up his previous civilian job in the hardware store.
https://www.maryboroughmuseum.org/raaf.html
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