F/O Lawrence Arner (RCAF) / Wellington MP575

[TraceyBee]

Hello! First time posting here. I'm trying to find out more information about the accident involving Wellington MP575 on 06 Feb 1944, in which F/O Lawrence Andrew Arner (J/13745 RCAF) lost his life. I'm researching Lawrence on behalf of my father as we believe he is related to us. His service records state that he went from 407 squadron to 3 (C) OTU at the end of Nov 1943 but I gather that was then absorbed into 6 (C) OTU. I've managed to find ORBs (now that I've found out what those are!) for his time in 407 squadron, but not for either of those OTUs. Any information about the accident or in relation to his short time in those OTUs before his death would be gratefully received.

[robstitt]

Welcome to the forum, Tracey.

Others will no doubt have more information on the circumstances but there is a crew listing at this location on this site:

http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...serialno=Mp575

Good luck!

Robert

[Jagan]

I hope this is visible now Rob

[alieneyes]

Tracey,

No. 3(C) OTU ORB October 1940 - December 1943 https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C7161086
No. 6 (C) OTU ORB May 1940 - June 1947 https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C4100317

Regards,

Dave

[TraceyBee]

Thank you Dave! A trip to the NA is on the cards for me soon and knowing those references in advance is a help.

Best wishes,
Tracey

No. 3(C) OTU ORB October 1940 - December 1943 https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C7161086
No. 6 (C) OTU ORB May 1940 - June 1947 https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C4100317

Regards,
Dave

[TraceyBee]

Thank you Robert! Also for all your efforts behind the scenes, trying to get this thread made visible. It's taken me approximately 10 years of genealogical research, on and off, to get to the point of having a name to investigate. The information I've read while lurking on this forum has been a real help in the later stages, but this is still a relatively unfamiliar domain. Thank you for making me feel welcome.

Best wishes,
Tracey

Welcome to the forum, Tracey.

Others will no doubt have more information on the circumstances but there is a crew listing at this location on this site:
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...serialno=Mp575

Good luck!

Robert

[TraceyBee]

Btw, we have a large group photograph of 407 'Demon' squadron, taken at Chivenor in 1943 - the dedication written on the back is to my late grandmother, Rose Smith, who was a WAAF there during that time. We believe 'Lou' Arner (as apparently he was more commonly referred to) to be in the photo but can't be sure - there are 77 men in it and no key/names to help identify them. If anyone would be interested in this photo, I'd be happy to share a scanned copy of it.

Tracey

[Graham Moore]

I run an RAF Chivenor history Facebook group and would be happy to see this picture amd add you to the site. Plenty on 407 squadron there