Laursen, Aage Valdemar Helstrup
(1915 - 1940)
Aage Valdemar Helstrup Laursen is a Danish born Canadian pilot who is killed while in service with the Air Transport Auxiliary.
Aage Valdemar Helstrup Laursen is born 23. november 1915 in Copenhagen, Denmark. [1] He is the son of Ellen Kirstine Helstrup Pedersen, who is married to Aage's stepfather Christian Laursen on 17 January 1919. The Laursen family emigrates to Canada in July 1924. [2] Aage Valdemar Helstrup Laursen is naturalised as British subject on 23 Feb 1932. [3] The family settles in Toronto where he is educated. His father works as director for General Packers Ltd.
In mid-1939 he leaves Canada for England to join the Royal Air Force. On 19 September 1939, just after the declaration of war in Europe, he is granted a short-term commission as Acting Pilot Officer on probation for four years on 19 September 1939. He is promoted to Pilot Officer on probation on 20 April 1940. This is only for a short period, as his short-term commission is terminated on cessation on 5 July 1940. [4]
Air Transport Auxiliary
At some point, he is accepted in the Air Transport Auxiliary as First Officer.
On 4 November 1940, Aage Valdemar Helstrup Andersen is killed in a flying accident, as Oxford I (R6019) of No. 4 Ferry Pilot Pool, flies into high ground in bad visibility on a ferry flight from Prestwick to Kidlington, Brynford, near Holywell, Flint. [5]
He is buried at Havarden (St. Deiniol) Churchyard. The Death Index for England and Wales states his age at death as 24 years. [6]
Acknwlegments to Henk Welting, Tony Broadhurst and Ivan Laursen for information to the above description.
Sources
Parish record, Fredericia, Trinitatis
Canada, Ocean Arrivals (Form 30A), 1919-1924
Canada Gazette (28049 B)
London Gazette, issues LG 34700 and 34898
Cheesman, 1946; Halley, 1996 www.cwgc.org
Fødte mandekøn – Aage Valdemar
1915-1916, Rigshospitalet, opslag 75
23. november 1915
Aage Valdemar Helstrup Pedersen, efternavn ændret til Laursen
Ellen Kirstine Helstrup Pedersen
Døbt den: 16. Januar 1916, Fredericia, Trinitatis Kirke.
Notat om at Forretningsfører Kristian Laursen er blevet gift med moderen.
1913-1920, Fredericia, Trinitatis Kirke, opslag 68
23. november København, Rigshospitalet.
Aage Valdemar Helstrup Pedersen, efternavn ændret til Laursen
Ugift Ellen Kirstine Helstrup Pedersen, 18 Aar og udlagt barnefader Elektriker Asger Sørensen, København.
Døbt 16. Januar 1916
Faddere:
Togfører Pedersens Hustru Christine
Frøken Ester Thomsen
Skipper Søren Damkjær
Ungkarl Jeppe Jensen
Alle af Fredericia
Notat:
ifølge vielsesattest er Moderen den 17/1 – 1919 viet til (Bogholder) Forretningsfører Kristian Laursen. I henhold til xxxx forandres Barnets efternavn til Laursen.
Vancouver Sun - Nov 6. 1940
Vancouver Flier Killed Overseas
Toronto. - Flt.-Lt. A. V. H. Laursen, formerly of Toronto, has been killed overseas with the Royal Air Force, G. Peterson, an uncle, said today he had been advised by Laursen's father in Vancouver.
Flt.-Lt. Laursen was born in Denmark 24 years ago but was brought to Canada by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. Laursen, 1440 Matthews Avenue, when he was a small boy.
He was educated in Toronto and went to England to Join the RAF 15 months ago. Besides his parents, who came here from Toronto after their son had joined the RAF, Flt.-Lt. Laursen is survived by a sister here.
The Toronto Star Wed, Nov 06, 1940
TEST PILOT, RUNNYMEDE GRAD 22 TIMES OVER REICH, DEAD
"Going Places," Capt. "Ogie"
Laursen Wrote Home-Had Hazardous Job
"IN LINE OF DUTY"
Three weeks ago, Capt. A. V. Η. "Ogie Laursen, graduate of Runnymede collegiate, wrote to his mother: "If I should be killed my contract states you get £2,000 ($9000). I don't think I'll be in any danger, though. I've got my transfer and I believe you can see I'm really going places Yesterday his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Lauren, of Vancouver. received a cable advising them he had been killed "in line of duty." This was taken to mean by his uncle, G. Peterson. Toronto, that he died while testing one of Britain's new bombing or fighting planes.
Mr. Peterson said Capt. Laursen transferred in August to the British Overseas Airline Corporation, a branch of the service which tests new British aircraft to find out when they break down.
While in the R.A.F., Capt. Laursen made 22 bombing raids on Germany, went through Dunkirk and piloted Britain's mightiest bomber back and forth from France, evacuating British soldiers.
To be considered as a test pilot in the BOA, according to Capt. Laursen's letters, a flier must be specially recommended and pass the most rigid physical and mental tests.
A glimpse of the dangerous work Is given in a letter he wrote Sept. 5. He said: "I tested a plane today and it fell apart in the air-that is, most of it did. Anyhow, I managed to get it down ok."
Mr. Peterson is convinced the words "in" line of duty in the cable announcing Capt. Laursen's death. indicates the 24-year-old officer was engaged on some such task when he died. Casualties in air fighting are listed as killed in action."
"He was so clean-living, some of his friends here used to taunt him about it," said Mr. Peterson. "It's sad a man like him has to go, but there must be sacrifice if we are to win this war.
|
1915 - 1940 (24 år)
[1] 
