Background
Laurence William Fraser Stark was born on 16 November 1920 in Bolton, Lancashire.
Laurence William Fraser Stark was born on 16 November 1920 in Bolton, Lancashire.
Stark joined the in 1940 as an aircraftman 2nd class (service number 1058229) and was sent for flying training in Canada. Returning to England in mid-1941 he flew the Boulton Paul Defiant until posted to 182 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon. On 10 January 1943 Stark was posted to 609 Squadron, the squadron had been tasked to counter the hit and run attacks over South-East England by Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf Fw 190s.
On 12 March 1943 Stark had his first victory when he downed a Fw 190 over Dunkirk.
He shot down two Junkers Ju 88 bombers over France, one in October and the other on 2 November 1943. On 11 June 1943 as a flight sergeant he had been commissioned as pilot officer and on 12 December 1943 was promoted to flying officer
On 4 January 1944 he shared in the destruction of a Dornier Do 217, he also shot down a Caudron Goeland transport and another Fw 190, with 5½ victories and another aircraft destroyed on the ground he qualified as an Ace. In February 1944 he was posted to 263 Squadron to carry out ground-attack operations, still with the Typhoon.
In March 1944 he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for his work.
He flew sorties in support of the Doctorate-Day landing attacking ground targets in Northern France but on 3 July 1944 flying a Hawker Typhoon aircraft serial MN527 "X" he was shot down in Brittany baling out near Kerpert. With the help of the French resistance he evaded capture and returned to England in a motor boat. In October 1944 he was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross. Stark later returned to 609 Squadron as commanding officer to continue the ground-attack work.
Post-war his wartime rank of flight lieutenant was confirmed and Stark continued flying in the Royal Air Force as a test pilot and in particular with the Blind Landing Experimental Unit performing automatic landing trials.
He retired from the Royal Air Force on 3 December 1963 (retaining the rank of squadron leader) and later became manager of Rochester Airport. 7 March 1944 - Flying Officer Lawrence William Fraser Stark (148445), Volunteer Reserve, Number.