Benson, Thomas Laidlaw
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Thomas Laidlaw |
Surname | Benson |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 08-03-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of James and Marion Benson, of Armadale, West Lothian. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | ME474 |
Markings | QR-V |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 270. |
Epitaph | |
Ribbon Stone | 0039 (Block 1, Column 11, Row 2) |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 8 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1565145 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 61 |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Birchwood Way, Birchwood Estate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Memorial & Inscribed Marble Obolisk |
Memorial Text | To the memory of the Air Crews and Ground Staff who gave their lives whilst serving with No 50 Squadron and No 61 Squadron, 5 group, Bomber Command The Royal Air Force 2nd World War 1939 to 1945. No 50 Squadron "From defence to attack" Operated from Waddi |
Location | Memorial Gardens, Skellingthorpe, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Memorial with Inscribed Marble Stone |
Memorial Text | Royal Air Force Skellingthorpe. My brief sweet life is over, My eyes no longer see, No Christmas Trees, No summer walks, No pretty girls for me, I've got the chop - I've had it, My nightly ops are done, Yet in another 100 years I'll still be twenty one. R |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/580/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/580/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 07-03-1945 |
End Date | 08-03-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Skellingthorpe |
Day/Night Raid | Night (42% moon) |
Operation | Harburg |
Reason for Loss | Crashed in the sea off the German coast following an attack on an oil plant |