They were detailed for their first operation on the 27th January 1944, to Berlin, in Avro Lancaster ME593.
The Lancaster was shot down near Berlin and sadly there were no survivors.
According to the Red Cross Thomas Laing was originally buried at Luderitz Parish Cemetery 8 miles south west of Stendal Germany which is about 70 miles west of Berlin. After the war his remains were buried in Haverlee War Cemetery Belgium which suggests the involvement of an American Graves Investigation Unit. At the time of his death he was engaged to be married.
The remainder of the crew are buried at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Both the crew and aircraft were lost on their first operation
