Maurice Raymond Lawson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 6 Mar 1903 |
| Place of Birth | Matlock, Victoria |
| Death | 4 Jun 1983, aged 80 |
| Occupation | Brick burner |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Brick road, Byford |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Elsie May Lawson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 824305 |
| Date of Enlistment | 6 Nov 1942 |
| Rank | Leading Aircraftman |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Monument(s) | Byford WW2 Honour Roll |
| Medals |
Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Prior to enlisting Maurice had married Elsie May Lawson on 26 Aug 1933. A daughter Betty June was born on 9 Jun 1939, and a son Ian Maurice was born 4 Aug 1944.
Electoral roll entries: 1925 at 'Meelyah', Gunyidi, farm hand; 1931 - 1937 Cardup, labourer
War Service
Maurice enlisted in the RAAF on 6 Nov 1942 at the No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre, mustered as a Trainee Technician, and he was posted to No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF, then in Busselton, to undertake basic drill training. On 15 Nov 1942 Maurice was posted to No. 5 School of Technical Training RAAF in Perth for initial skills training before being posted on 27 Jan 1943 to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF in Ascot Vale, Victoria for more specific training and then on 15 Feb 1943 to the Air Armament School RAAF at Nhill, in Victoria.
Having completed his training, on 1 May 1943 Maurice was posted to No. 2 Operational Training Unit RAAF in Mildura, now mustered as a Armourer, and from 1 Aug 1943 promoted to Leading Aircraftmen. Maurice remained with them until 16 Jan 1944 when he was posted to No. 4 Personnel Depot RAAF in Adelaide prior to his transfer to the Northern Territory. Before leaving Adelaide, on 11 Feb 1944 Maurice was remustered as a Fitter/Armourer. On 25 Feb 1944 he joined No. 2 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF at a location known as 54 Mile, south of Darwin. Two days later on 27 Feb 1944 he was posted to No. 549 Squadron RAF at Strauss airfield.
With the war ending in August 1945, units began returning to peacetime locations and some were being wound up. On 14 Oct 1945 Maurice was posted to No. 42 Squadron RAAF at Melville Bay in the Northern Territory. Soon after on 9 Nov 1945 he was posted to No. 12 Aircraft Repair Depot RAAF in Darwin, and on 3 Dec 1945 he returned to No. 2 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF at Winnellie in the Northern Territory. Three days later he had returned to Perth where on 13 Dec 1945 he was discharged from No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF. He was paid 30 days re-establishment leave, 16 days recreation leave, and 7 days tropical service leave.
Post War
electoral roll entries: 1949 - 1968 at Cardup, labourer; 1972 - 1980 at 4 The Grove, Armadale
Notes