Medal Bar of 6 of Squadron Leader Lawrence ('Benny') Seymour Goodman

Benny Goodman was born in London and joined the RAF in 1939. He completed 30 operations with No. 617 Squadron including against the battleship Tirpitz. His medals are 1939-1945 Star with Bomber Command Clasp, Arctic Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, Legion d'Honneur Order of the Chevalier.

Benny needed all his flying skills to pilot his Lancaster through 30 operations over enemy territory. He attacked the battleship Tirpitz in Norway and dropped a 22,000lb Grand Slam bomb on the Arnsberg viaduct in Germany. The Grand Slam was so heavy that Benny remembers his aircraft going vertically up over 100 feet after its release. Due to his Jewish faith, Benny faced extra danger should he be captured by the Nazis. Benny Goodman was the last surviving British wartime No. 617 Squadron pilot.