Richard Laughton
Attended Queen Elizabeth School from 1931 to 1937.
He worked for the Post Office as a sorting clerk and telegraph operator.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
His parents were Henry B and Emma Laughton 118 Portland Road, Hucknall.
In 1941 he married Violet Wilson and they lived with his parents.
Old Elizabethans Service Roll:
Flt Sgt Richard Laughton lost his life on the night of August 16/17th 1943 when his squadron took part in the first raid on the flying bomb factory which was closely guarded and hidden in the forset at Peenemunde in North West Germany on the shores of the Baltic. This raid stands out in the history of the RAF as one of worst ever made. 41 lancasters were lost, 7 of them from Syerston where Laughton was stationed and 4 being from his own squadron. There had been no further news of him and it is persumed he is buried at Griefeswald with the other members of his crew.
Flt Sgt Laughton made 44 operational flights over enemy territory as a navigator of a Lancaster. He took part in the 1,000 Bomber raid over Cologne. He also took part in raids over St Nazaire, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Essen, Hamburg, Duisberg, Bremen and Wilhelshaven.
He was also in the famous raid over Milan which was controlled by a "Master of Cermonies".
Flt Sgt Laughton was married and lived in Hucknall.
IBCC:
Lancster III serial number JA900
Navigator.
Flew from Syerston on Operation Hydra over Peenemunde.
Richard is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial panel 156
No photos