Flying Officer Laing was from Windsor (Walkerville), Ontario and was killed 1 July 1951 at age 28. He was the son of Dr George and Agnes Laing of Walkerville, Ontario. He is the brother of Charles and Joyce Laing.He is commemorated on Page 18 of the 'In the Service of Canada' Book of Remembrance. CLICK HERE TO VIEW PAGE
F/O Laing and F/O Horricks were killed when their Harvard aircraft crashed near Grafton, ON.
F/O Laing was a member of the RCAF during the Second World War and received the following citations: 1939-1945 Star, 1939-1945 Atlantic Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, War Medal 1939-1945
F/O Laing signed out as pilot on a cross-country flight from Deseronto to Downsview in Harvard Mark II 2696. With him was F/L G.E Horricks.
On 1 July 1951, both were killed when their aircraft struck a reed-covered pond, bounced about 30 feet and then came to rest on dry land, 150 feet from point of first impact.
The flight had been authorized as a cross-country with instrument practice to be done en route.
Although there were no witnesses to the crash itself, the Harvard was seen descending at a steep angle with wings level until it disappeared behind trees.
"The fact that the rear control column was found in the stowed position, and the blind flying hood was in the open position and tied, indicates that the instrument practice had been completed or that it had not been carried out. In either event it is considered that F/O Horricks was technically a passenger."
F/O Laing is buried in the family plot at the St. John's Anglican Church Cemetery in Windsor, Ontario
