SPECIAL REMEMEMBRANCE DAY PROFILE – Remembering George Lauder Life At The Pocklington Air Field WWII
By Harry Lauder, George’s son
In WW2, One of the results of Canada’s desire to maintain some degree of autonomy for its military forces was the formation of the 405 Squadron, which became the first Canadian bomber squadron formed overseas. The 405th was based at RAF Pocklington from April 1941 to August 1942. During this time they participated in 1049 sorties and suffered the loss of 322 aircrew and 28 aircraft.
George Lauder’s diary entry on November 21, 1941, stated: “I am the first Canadian electrician assigned to the first Canadian bomber squadron.”
George joined the squadron in November of 1941 and remained with them until March 1942. He was then reassigned to the recently formed 413 Squadron, which had been ordered to proceed with all possible haste to the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the Pacific theatre. Though short, his time at the “Pock” was eventful. What follows is his brief account of life at RAF Pocklington.
“405 Squadron is nestled in a valley surrounded on three sides by low hills. It’s a pretty spot but very wet and muddy during winter. On guard duty at night, we can often hear the report of bombs dropping on Hull, about 18 miles away. We can see and hear the barrage put up by our ack-ack guns. They look like huge skyrockets.”
“While a bombing station doesn’t have the activity you find on a fighter squadron, there is still plenty of excitement. Crash landings are not unusual, and kites often come back from raids with rips and tears caused by enemy flak. Sometimes, they don’t come back at all. One night, during an alert, one of our kites took off with a full bomb load and crashed right after leaving the strip. It was a flamer, and none of the crew was rescued. Those things get you right inside.”
In March, his diary stated that there was lots more going on at the 405th and he would insert them into his diary as stories when he got the chance. Sadly, that never happened. On March 22, 1942, he climbed aboard the SS New Holland, a Dutch troop ship headed for the war in the Pacific.
Editor’s note: Remembrance Day in Canada, observed on November 11th, honors the ultimate sacrifice of military personnel in wars and conflicts. The day marks the end of World War I in 1918 and is symbolized by the red poppy. Canadians participate in ceremonies, including a moment of silence at 11 a.m., to reflect on the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers. The National War Memorial in Ottawa hosts a significant ceremony, attended by veterans, officials, and citizens. Schools and communities across the country also hold events to educate and remember the contributions of those who served, ensuring their legacy lives on.
