THE final flypast made by three Sea King helicopters last Wednesday, included a detour over The Royal Junior School, at Hindhead, in memory of an airman who lost his life during active service.

After 49 years of active military operations, the iconic ‘eyes in the sky,’ which saw action in the Falklands, Afghanistan and both Gulf Wars, are being retired.

A large crowd was gathered at the school, when they diverted on their final journey to HMS Sultan, in Gosport, for a flypast in memory of Lt Marc Lawrence – a Sea King Observer with 849 Squadron.

He died in active service in 2003, when two Sea King ASAC helicopters from 849 Squadron collided in flight, with the loss of all seven crew-members.

A mother at The Royal Junior School, who did not wish to be named, was engaged to Lt Lawrence.

She visited the school with her husband as the Sea Kings flew overhead. Pupils assembled on the school field with a large white ensign – the Royal Navy’s flag – to commemorate the final Sea King flight.

Lt Lawrence died while he was serving in the North Arabian Gulf, conducting missions in support of British and Coalition forces, onboard Sea King helicopters.

Tragedy struck in the early hours of March 22, 2003. He was the youngest crew member killed, aged just 26.

Lt Lawrence gained his wings in 2002 and then joined 849 Squadron part of the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.

The squadron’s most famous helicopter was the RN Sea King Mk7 airborne early warning helicopter - The Sea King.

The helicopters searched for aerial threats or suspicious movements on the ground, using sophisticated radar.

They are being replaced by the new “Crowsnest” radar system on the Merlin Mark II helicopters.