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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 117

Four: Flight Lieutenant D. Laing, Royal Air Force, who received an Interwar 'mention' for the Chitral Reliefs, and was further 'mentioned' in January 1941 but later killed in action on 3 September 1944

India General Service 1908-35, 3 clasps, North West Frontier 1930-31, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935, with M.I.D. oak leaf (506188. A.C.1. D. Laing. R.A.F.) clasps attached by rods but not rivetted; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, good very fine (4)

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 September 1933, 1 January 1941.

Donald Laing was the son of Ernest and Isabella Laing and was born at Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1908. He was also the husband of Mary Grace Laing of Swindon, Wiltshire. Laing received his first M.I.D. whilst serving as an Aircraftsman 1st Class 'for distinguished services rendered in connection with the Chitral Reliefs, period September - October, 1932'.

Promoted to Pilot Officer on 19 August 1940, he received his second M.I.D. on 1 January 1941 and was promoted to Flying Officer on 19 August 1941 and to Flight Lieutenant on 19 August 1942.

Laing was on board Wellington III X3313 JN part of No. 150 Squadron tasked with an Op on Karlsruhe when the aircraft took off from R.A.F. Snaith, Yorkshire at 23:55 on 2 September 1942 and crashed into the sea off the French coast early on 3 September 1942. None of the crew survived, however the body of Flight Sergeant R. J. Deans was recovered and is buried at the Dieppe in the Canadian War Cemetery. Laing is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Sold together with the following archive:

i)
Box for the Second World War Medals, this named to Mrs M. H. Laing, this crossed out in pen with the address part no longer present.

ii)
Named condolence slip.

iii)
Ticker tape for medals issued, with section with number 44412, confirming his awards.

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Estimate
£700 to £1,000

Starting price
£550