Grave:  Block A, Grave 189 Isolated Burial

A standard Commonwealth Grave Commission (CWGC) inscribed gravestone.

Born in Texas on March 11, 1912 in Morgan Hill. 

On June 21st 1941 Pilot Officer Lee Loran Laughlin from Morgan Hill Texas was flying in formation with other 121 (Eagle) Sqn pilots in a follow my leader exercise in Hurricane P3097 when white smoke was seen trailing from his aircraft. Overcome by glycol fumes leaking into the cockpit P/O Laughlin lost consciousness and his aircraft dived into the ground in a field at Brattleby in Lincolnshire. The first casualty of 121 Sqn he was buried at Kirton Lindsey aged 29yrs. 

Cenotaph in Morgan Mill Cemetery, Texas remembers Laughlin as well.

From the CWGC Files:

PILOT OFFICER LORAN LEE LAUGHLIN

Service Number: 61925

Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Air Force, 121 (Eagle) Sqdn.

Died 21 June 1941

Age 29 years old

Additional Info: Son of V. V. Laughlin and Mary Orlena Laughlin, of Morgan Mill, Texas, U.S.A.

Personal Inscription: HE GAVE HIS LIFE THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE

PILOT OFFICER

L.L. LAUGHLIN

PILOT

ROYAL AIR FORCE

21^ST JUNE 1941  AGE 29

(CROSS)

HE GAVE HIS LIFE THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE