Wartime airman’s valour recognised
John receives highest honour of French state
A Lanarkshire man has been awarded the highest honour France can bestow for his role in liberating the Republic during World War Two.
Halifax bomber airman John Lauder braved Luftwaffe fighters and anti-aircraft guns to carry out 32 bombing missions across France and Germany between August and December 1944.
The 91-year-old was presented with the prestigious Chevalier de la Legion D’honneur medal in the company of family and friends at Hamilton Golf Club last Friday.
He said: “I had put my war years behind me, but I am thrilled to be recognised in this way. It did come as quite a surprise when I received the letter from the French Embassy telling me I was to receive the award.”
Mr Lauder was born in Climpy near Forth in 1925. When he left school he became an apprentice electrical engineer at the village’s Kingshill No2 Colliery.
As a mining engineer he was in a reserved occupation, but he volunteered for the RAF in 1943. However, he was not called up until he reached his 18th birthday in May of that year.
He was posted to the Royal Canadian Air Force squadron 420 ‘Snowy Owls’ in Yorkshire and from there took part in 32 missions in France and Germany in the Halifax bomber.
Mr Lauder said: “Air crews didn’t have that great a life expectancy. They lost more than 50 per cent of personnel.
“The chances of completing 30 operations without being shot down were small. Our targets were well defended, particularly in the industrial area of the Ruhr valley.
“You saw a lot of aircraft going down about you in a ball of flames. The bombers were carrying 2000 gallons of fuel and a bomb load.
“On two occasions crew members were injured. We were very lucky to have survived.”
The flight engineer received the campaign medals the 39-45 Star, France and Germany Star, and the War Medal.
Following the European bombing missions, Mr Lauder served in Burma from 1945 to 1947.
He married wife 1950 and they have a Rena, a grandson and grandchildren.
On demobilising from the RAF in 1947 Mr Lauder joined Lanarkshire Constabulary and worked his way up through the ranks to become Hamilton area divisional commander from 1977 until his retiral in 1985. The French government wished to recognise the efforts of British and Commonwealth airmen and soldiers to liberate the country during WW2 following the 70th anniversary of D-day.
Mr Lauder was presented with the medal by Honorary French Consul in Glasgow, Professor John Campbell.
Professor Campbell commented: “It is the equivalent of a Knighthood in France. Receiving the Legion D’honneur is quite a distinction.
“It is a way of honouring all those who fought who are still alive and, through them, all those who gave up their lives for the liberation of France and Europe.” Mary in daughter two great