AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 4 – War Diary CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 49 of 237 3 In the Thick of the Battle – Flt Lt Lawrence Frederic Pereira VrC Brig JK Dutt, Ms Isabelle Pereira, Wg Cdr Ravi Mani & Kind Courtesy Bharat Rakshak Genre: Gallantry / War awrence Frederic Pereira was born in Bandra, Bombay on the 10th June 1945; he was the second of six siblings and was affectionately called "Lawrie" by his family and friends. His early formative years were spent in Goa; he lived with his Uncle and Aunt and studied in St Pauls High School, Belgaum. Laurie completed his education in St Stanislaus School, Bombay now Mumbai. He belonged to the Famous Four from St Stanislaus all of whom joined the IAF and were selected to be fighter pilots, the school is very proud of their achievements. On 10th March 1963 he started his basic training in the IAF at the Air Force Administrative College in Coimbatore. He was commissioned on 01 August 1964, in th e 89/90th Pilots Course. In his early career - he attended several training courses and postings. One of his first postings after becoming a pilot was with No.220 Squadron at Pune. He played an active part in the 1965 Indo Pak Conflict. After the war, he was posted to a Gnat Unit - where he trained on the diminutive fighter. Lawrie from his days with No.221 Squadron - flying the Vampires. Note the helmet with his call sign painted on the back "Lawrie" Lawrie Pereira with his Gnat. Compared to the diminutive size of this fighter, the Sukhoi-7 would have looked gigantic. L