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Frank Lawrence DFC DFM
The Story Behind This Mural
This mural commemorates Squadron Leader Frank Lawrence DFC DFM, RAAF, Maryborough’s most decorated World War II veteran and his flight to drop foodstuffs and other vital supplies to the starving residents of Rotterdam, The Netherlands on 3 May 1945. Frank Lawrence was born in Maryborough in 1919 and attended Maryborough Central School and Grammar School before working at Horsburgh’s Department store. He enlisted in the Army, but applied for Air Force Training, receiving his ‘wings’ in 1942. He went on to complete 34 operational missions in heavy bombers. Towards the end of the war, Squadron Leader Lawrence and his 460 Squadron colleagues participated in OPERATION MANNA to deliver much needed supplies to the starving Dutch. Hundreds of allied aircraft took part in the operation with 460 Squadron alone dropping more than 340,000 kilograms of foodstuffs – the Dutch were forever grateful. After the war, Frank returned to Maryborough, where he married Audrey and raised three children. He died in August 2005.
About the Artist
The artist, Benjamin Higgins, or Mr Mupz as he calls himself, is a member of the Rythmincolour Collective – a Sunshine Coast based group of artists specialising in mural art.
Read
‘Memories of my Dad, Frank Lawrence‘
(by younger son Tony)
Contributors to this Mural
The Maryborough Mural Project relies entirely on the generosity of volunteers and sponsors from our local community. The artist’s commission was generously provided through Councillor Denis Chapman’s Discretionary Funds. The Committee would like to thank Mrs Tracey Christoffel, Ms Tracey Gray, Mr Trevor Dyer, Ms Dawn Vanderwolf, and Mr Malcolm Finlayson for their time and expertise in coordinating this mural. We would also like to thank Mr John Meyers, Mr David Charles, Mr Rai Whitten and the following businesses for their kind and generous support in the creation of this mural.
Our featured sponsor is Earles Paint Place, Maryborough who have generously supported the Maryborough Mural Project since it’s inception and who have provided most of the paint and paint supplies needed to complete our murals. Without their generous and passionate support of the Project we would not have been able to achieve what we have to date. Earles continue to support and sponsor the project as a major contributor in helping to revitalise Maryborough through Art.