Lawrence Bowen

Lawrence Bowen was born in Toronto on September 7, 1915, to Mrs. Margaret McAvoy Bowen and Mr. William Albert Bowen. 

He attended De La Salle (Oaklands) College excelling in athletics (rugby, hockey, baseball, wrestling) and academics (chemistry and ancient history); receiving further schooling at Eastern Commerce in Shorthand and Bookkeeping. 

Lawrence was working as a Clerk at Smith Transport and living in Toronto on Boston Avenue when he enlisted for service in the Royal Canadian Air Force.  He was highly recommended for service from his employer as an ‘honest and faithful worker and of good character’. 

He enlisted at the RCAF Recruiting Centre in Toronto on June 6, 1940, at 24 years of age, hoping to train for air service. 

He completed basic training at No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto, at the CNE grounds, where over 6000 RCAF recruits began.  Further training saw Lawrence at No. 1 Initial Training School in Toronto; No. 1 Wireless School in Montreal, QC; No. 4 Bomb and Gunnery School in Fingal, ON; and RCAF Station Rockcliffe.

Lawrence served overseas, reaching Britain on March 2, 1941.  He was posted to No. 10 Bomber Command Operational Training Unit; No. 1 Signals School; 19 Operational Training Unit in Kinloss; and with the 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF)

It was with the 102 Squadron, as a Wireless Air Gunner, that F/Sgt Lawrence Milbert Bowen was killed in Air Operations over England. 

He is buried at Ipswich Cemetery, Suffolk, UK. 

We Will Remember Them