Sgt Edwin W J Ebsworth RAFVR and crew – 576 Squadron – RAF Elsham Wolds – 1944
Failed to Return - 27th January 1944 – Lancaster III – ME593 – Op Berlin
Edwin Ebsworth was posted to 81 Operational Training Unit in July 1943 flying Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys. Here he crewed up with Navigator F/O Tom Laing, Air Bomber Sgt George Potter, Wireless Operator Sgt George West and Rear Gunner Sgt Wilfred Boot
After a further period of training at 30 Operational Training Unit flying Vickers Wellingtons they were posted to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme in December 1943 where the complete crew was formed now including Flight Engineer, Sgt J Howell, and Mid Upper Gunner, Sgt L R H Mitchell. Thomas Laing was the only officer in a crew otherwise made up of Sergeants. Here they flew the Handley Page Halifax. After 15 days intensive training they converted to the Avro Lancaster at No 1 Lancaster Finishing School.
After only 7 flights on Lancasters, totalling 6 hours 55 minutes, flying time the crew were transferred to 576 Squadron at Elsham Wolds in mid January.
From the 20th January to the 26th January they undertook 6 training flights. 2 were circuits and landings by night, 2 were cross country navigational exercises by night and 2 were air tests and local flying by day. The total flying time for these 6 flights was 17 hours and 5 minutes.
They were detailed for their first operation on the 27th January 1944, to Berlin, in Avro Lancaster ME593.
The Lancaster was shot down near Berlin and sadly there were no survivors.
According to the Red Cross Thomas Laing was originally buried at Luderitz Parish Cemetery 8 miles south west of Stendal Germany which is about 70 miles west of Berlin. After the war his remains were buried in Haverlee War Cemetery Belgium which suggests the involvement of an American Graves Investigation Unit. At the time of his death he was engaged to be married.
The remainder of the crew are buried at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery.
Both the crew and aircraft were lost on their first operation
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Sgt Edwin William Ebsworth RAFVR – Pilot – 576 Sqn - Son of Edwin William and Flora Priscilla Ebsworth; husband of Irene May Ebsworth of Lewisham. London – Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt John Edward Novell RAFVR – Flight Engineer – 576 Sqn - Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt George Alfred Porter RAFVR – Air Bomber - 23 – 576 Sqn - Son of George Frederick and Margaret Alice Porter of Walthamstow, Essex - Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.
F/O Thomas Charles Laing RAFVR ( pictured above ) – Navigator - 24 – 576 Sqn - Son of Frederick William James Laing and Ada Naomi Laing of Roath, Cardiff – Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
Sgt George West RAFVR ( pictured above ) - Wireless Operator ( Air ) - 576 Sqn - Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt Leslie Ronald Herbert Michell RAFVR – Air Gunner - 21 – 576 Sqn - Son of Charles Claud Michell and Edith Norah Michell of Brixton, London - Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt Wilfred Charles Boot RAFVR – Air Gunner - 20 – 576 Sqn - Son of Harry Charles and Bessie Boot of Whetstone, Middlesex - Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.
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F/O T C Laing RAFVR
Thomas Charles Laing was brought up in Cardiff, Wales. He attended Howard Gardens Grammar School and would have liked to have studied at university but family circumstances would not permit. Instead he left school and joined the Western Mail newspaper in Cardiff as a trainee proof reader.
After a short while he became a Police Officer with the Cardiff City Police Force based at Clifton Street Police Station, Roath, Cardiff.
Thomas was a young man of many talents. As well as being a keen rugby player and cricketer, he was interested in music, played the violin and conducted the choir at the local church.
In 1941 Thomas enlisted to join the RAF and was accepted for aircrew training as a navigator. After basic training he was sent to Canada to train as a navigator and commenced his navigators course at No 10 AOS Chatham, NB. on the 17th August 1942. Flying in Avro Ansons he completed his course on the 7th December 1942 and attained marks of 80.5% for Ground Work and 84.4% for Air Work.
He then returned to Britain and, after a period of further training, was posted to 81 Operational Training Unit in July 1943 flying Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys. Here he joined his pilot Sergeant E W J Ebsworth.
Thomas Laing with the fair hair with Stan Sayce and Harry James, all Cardiff policemen, Harry being the only surviving one of the 7 policemen from Roath who joined up together in 1941.
No 3 Squadron St Andrews. Tom Laing third from left second row from the front
Group pic taken during training. Tom Laing second from left
Another group pic taken during training. Tom Laing front row right
Tom Laing with 3 comrades during training extreme right
Another pic showing Tom as an aircrew cadet under training in the UK. Tom back row second from right
Item compiled and written by David Fell with thanks to the Laing family and Wim Govaerts of Belgium for the information and photograph of Tom Laing used in this item. Also the West Family for the photo of George West. The final Laing photos were submitted by Claire Jenkins-Robinson
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