|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Click Here For Full Artist Print Indexes | Aviation History Archive |
|
|
Keith Ashley Lawrence
Victories : 5
Keith Lawrence was born in New Zealand at Waitara on November 25th1919. He went to Southland Boys’ High School at Invercargill until leaving in December 1936 when Lawrence went to work in a local bank. In February 1938 Keith Lawrence joined the Civil Reserve of Pilots and was accepted for further pilot training in Britain and sailed in February 1939. In November 1939 Keith Lawrence completed his flying training and joined the newly-formed 234 Squadron. 234 squadron flew Spitfires in early May 1940 in time for the Battle of Britain. Keith Lawrence shared 234's first victory when on 8th July Lawrence shared in the destruction of a Ju88, while attacking a convoy in the Western Approaches. In September Lawrence was posted to 603 Squadron and moved to 421 Flight, which then became 91 Squadron in early 1941. During the Battle of Britain he destroyed two enemy aircraft and damaged four others. Whilst on a weather reconnaissance on 26 November 1940 Lawrence's Spitfire was shot down by Bf109’s, his Spitfire breaking up and throwing him clear to parachute into the sea. Lawrence was picked up by a Royal Navy minesweeper, and having suffered leg and arm injuries he was taken to hospital, returning to 91 squadron 8 weeks later on the 10th of January 1942. On the 17th of February 1942 Lawrence was posted to Malta, where he joined 185 Squadron at the time Malta was going to see some of the hardest fighting. Lawrence became one of Maltas best known squadron commanders. Arriving in February 1942 he flew Hurricanes until Spitfires arrived in May. A New Zealander, Lawrence had flown Spitfires in Britain. He was lucky to survive being shot down on October 26 when his Spitfire disintegrated and he parachuted into the sea with a broken leg and a dislocated arm. Lawrence returned to the UK from Malta in August 1942, returning to operations in Maly 1945, as commanding officer or 124 Squadron flying Spitfire IXs. |
Click here for artwork signed by this Ace!
Keith Ashley Lawrence
|
Contact Details |
|
Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com
|
|
|
