Home Guard Medical Unit
Born: 1st May 1908
Story
Lawrence Fairburn was one of fourteen children born to William Fairburn (1873-1936) and Martha Carr (1879-1956), who married in Martha’s home village of Methley on 27th March 1897. William was born in Swillington, and was a coal miner at Allerton Bywater and Bowers Collieries, with the family living at 11 Warrington Row. Lawrence married Eliza Anderson in Methley on 26th December 1931, and worked in Haulage at the colliery, whilst living at 17 Warrington Row. He was also part of the Great Preston First Aid Squad, and in his social life, Lawrence was the Secretary of the Great Preston Cricket Club.
In 1940, Lawrence and Eliza left Kippax and moved to Scunthorpe, where Lawrence had got a job as a steel worker. During the War, Lawrence was a Corporal in his Home Guard Unit. He was awarded a Certificate of Gallantry and Good Service in June 1943, for his actions on 5th December 1942. A four-engine bomber, Halifax II, R9531 belonging to Unit 1658 CU crashed in Scunthorpe. It was on a day cross-country flight from Riccall, and eyewitnesses spotted the plane flying low at 13:00, near Scunthorpe. They saw the aircraft started to bank and the attitude of the bank getting steeper with the aircraft eventually stalling and falling to the ground. The bomber was observed to crash amongst buildings, which turned out to be Hydroprest Ltd. Concrete Works injuring nine work men. A further three people were injured by flying glass in a nearby hotel. The aircraft crashed through the roof of the factory and exploded killing all but two of the crew members. When Lawrence arrived from the nearby Steel Works, the two surviving Airmen were being removed from the wreckage. One man died almost immediately, but Lawrence was able to use his First Aid training on the second man, Sergeant R. F. Pretty, treating him for burns and injuries to his head and face. The citation for Lawrence’s award states that his prompt and skilled treatment undoubtedly saved the Airman’s life.
In November 1950, Lawrence and Eliza moved into a new four-bedroom Council house in Lilac Avenue, Scunthorpe. They were so impressed with their new home, they chartered a special bus from Kippax to bring 14 married couples and their 12 children over to inspect the house for themselves. The visitors each took a piece of coal with them to give to Lawrence and Eliza and their 5 children, and they all arranged to have tea at a local café.
Lawrence passed away in Scunthorpe in 1970.
Kippax Roll of Honour 