On Armistcie Sunday I shall be laying the RBL wreath at a redundant church at Runham, near Great Yarmouth, and would like to find out more about one of the two CWGC graves there: 1234719 Sergt (Air Gnr) Percy Reginald LAWN, RAFVR, 101 Squadron AGE: 22, DIED 19/03/1944 Son of Florence May Lubbock of Dagenham, Essex. Does anyone please have details of how he died - how does a single aircrew member come to be buried in such a spot? Any help would be appreciated. Chris Basey
Details from RAF Bomber Command Losses 1944 by W.R.Chorley states: 101 Sqn. Lancaster III, LM464, SR-E, Operation to Frankfurt. T/O 1920 Ludford Magna, crashed homebound, due to total engine failure, in the Brockdish-Needham area, close to the Suffolk and Norfolk border, and about 7 miles ENE of Diss. Three are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery: the others lie in various cemeteries, including the Brookwood Military Cemetery, resting place for F/O Huntley RCAF. P/O Dixon had won his DFM on his operation debut, details of this being published on 24 March 1944. CREW: All killed. P/O R.DIXON DFM Sgt.B.CROSBY Sgt.W.H.THOMPSON F/O.S.L.HUNTLEY,RCAF Sgt.R.D.VERNON Sgt.N.S.MARSHALL Sgt.P.R.LAWN Sgt.R.H.BRYAN. It seems that some 26 aircraft were lost on this operation. This is the only one from 101 Sqn. Hope this information is of help. John.
John Thank you for that information - like so many answers it provokes more questions. The plane crashed quite a long way from where Sgt Lawn is buried so it may be that his body was taken 'home'. More research required! Thank you again for a very swift reply. Chris Basey
The plane crashed quite a long way from where Sgt Lawn is buried so it may be that his body was taken 'home'. More research required! The standard policy was for the body, where possible, to be returned to its home for burial.
