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Flight Lieutenant DAVID SAMUEL ANTHONY LORD

Service Number: 49149
Regiment & Unit/Ship

Royal Air Force

271 Sqdn.

Date of Death

Died 19 September 1944

Age 30 years old

Buried or commemorated at

ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY

4. B. 5.

Netherlands

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
  • Country of Service United Kingdom
  • Awards Victoria Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Additional Info King's Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air. Son of Samuel Beswick Lord, and of Mary Ellen Lord, of Wrexham, Denbighshire.
  • Personal Inscription GREATER LOVE THAN THIS NO MAN HATH, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS R.I.P.
  • Additional Citation note

    The following details are given in the London Gazette of 13th November 1945:- On September 19th, 1944, Flt. Lieut. Lord was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to drop supplies to our troops, who were closely surrounded at Arnhem. For accuracy this had to be done at 900 feet. While approaching the target at 1,500 feet the aircraft was severely damaged and set on fire. Flt. Lieut. Lord would have been justified in withdrawing or even in abandoning his aircraft but, knowing that supplies were desperately needed, he continued on his course. Twice going down to 900 feet under very intense fire, he successfully dropped his containers. His task completed he ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft, making no attempt himself to leave. A few seconds later the aircraft fell in flames, only one of the crew surviving. By continuing his mission in a damaged and burning plane, twice descending to 900 feet to ensure accuracy, and finally by remaining at the controls to give his crew a chance of escape, Flt. Lieut. Lord displayed supreme valour and self-sacrifice.

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Buried or commemorated at