Bridger, Lawrence Mattinson
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Lawrence Mattinson |
Surname | Bridger |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 10-03-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Thomas Dudley Bridger and Neltie May Bridger, of Knebworth, Hertfordshire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | JB795 |
Markings | KN-H |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 130. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 135 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 136048 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 77 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Holy Trinity Church, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | Memorial windows and Roll of Honour for 77 Sqn. R.A.F. |
Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Marble Column with Metal Sculpture and Plaques |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 77 Sqn. R.A.F. City of Lancaster's own |
Miscellaneous Information
He was a pupil of the Alleynes school in Stevenage until 1937 when he left to go to the Polytechnic School of Commerce, following which he became a director of the family firm, T.D.Bridger Ltd. |
In May of that year he became the Squadron Flight Gunnery Leader. He took part in some twenty four anti-submarine sorties while 77 Squadron was detached to Coastal Command and his crew were commended by Sir Phillip Joubert A.O.C. after the destruction of a U-Boat in the Bay of Biscay. Overall he flew a total of 33 operational flights with the Squadron. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/656/24 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/656/23 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 09-03-1943 |
End Date | 10-03-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Elvington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (15% moon) |
Operation | Munich. 264 aircraft, 8 losses (3.0%). The BMW aero factory was put out of action for 6 weeks. There was also much damage to other buildings of all types including 11 hospitals, the cathedral and 4 churches. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed into Lake Konstance |