Lawrence, Ralph Maurice

W.O. 2 Ralph Maurice Lawrence, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Lawrence, 46 Huron Street, was a reconnaissance photographer in the R.C.A.F. He enlisted on May 28, 1941, and after some time spent in elementary training in Toronto and Picton, was one of the first class of pilots trained at Belleville. From there he was posted to Crumlin and finally to Aylmer where from No. 14 S.F.T.S., he graduated with his wings on March 13, 1942. Two months later he was in England. During the following nine months he was instructed in the photographer's course. He was reported missing after air operations on June 24, 1943. The target that night was Kiel, and his plane, attacked by enemy fighters, crashed in the Hook of Holland where W.O. Lawrence lost his life. He was buried in Flushing, near Walcheren Island. Born in Brantford on November 8, 1917, Ralph was educated at King George and King Edward Schools and graduated from a special course in drafting at the Brantford Collegiate Institute. While at school he was a good student, and as well, excelled on the athletic field. He played rugby and basketball for the Collegiate and was on the City Junior Hockey and Baseball teams. At Wesley United Church he was a member and was active in the Sunday School, teaching a class, belonging to the Young People's Society and playing in the tennis club. One year he represented the city "constituency" at the Boys' Parliament in Toronto. He was employed as a craftsman at the Brantford Washing Machines Ltd.

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